ExploreBirds

European Golden-Plover

Pluvialis apricaria

The European Golden-Plover is a beautiful bird with golden spots on its back. It loves to live in open fields and can often be seen running around looking for food.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The European Golden-Plover has a striking appearance with golden-yellow spangles across its dark brown back and wings. In breeding plumage, it features a bold black face and belly, sharply contrasted by a broad white stripe separating it from its golden crown and flanks.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyCharadriidaeGenusPluvialis
European Golden-Plover
feathered trait badgespotted trait badgesinging trait badgegrassland trait badge
European Golden-Plover

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

During courtship, males perform incredible aerial dives and tumbles to impress females.

Golden-Plovers often gather in huge flocks during migration, creating spectacular aerial displays!

The "Plover's Pageant" is a charming collective noun for a group of these beautiful birds.

Their chicks are precocial, meaning they can walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching.

Special abilities

Ability

Long-Distance Navigator

European Golden-Plovers can migrate thousands of kilometers because they have incredible stamina and an innate sense of direction.

Ability

Ground Nest Guardian

European Golden-Plovers can protect their eggs by creating a camouflaged nest scrape on the ground, making it hard to spot.

Ability

Keen-Eyed Forager

European Golden-Plovers can spot tiny insects and worms from a distance because they have excellent vision.

Measurements & details

Length
26-29 cm
Wingspan
67-76 cm
Weight
0.15-0.22 kg
Lifespan
5-12 years
Top Speed
85 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
27-31 days
Migration Distance
3500 km

Diet & Feeding

These birds mostly snack on juicy insects and worms, sometimes enjoying a berry or two!

Primary Foods

  • Beetles
  • Earthworms
  • Spiders
  • Fly larvae
  • Snails
  • Berries

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Preys on eggs and chicks.

eaten by

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Hunts adult plovers during migration.

eats

Common Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

A primary food source for foraging plovers.

depends on

Purple Moor-grass

Molinia caerulea

Provides crucial nesting cover and insect habitat.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is European Golden-Plover?

26-29 cm

What is European Golden-Plover's wingspan?

67-76 cm

How much does European Golden-Plover weigh?

0.15-0.22 kg

How long does European Golden-Plover live?

5-12 years

How fast can European Golden-Plover move?

85 km/h

What does European Golden-Plover eat?

These birds mostly snack on juicy insects and worms, sometimes enjoying a berry or two!

Where is European Golden-Plover usually found?

Grasslands

How does European Golden-Plover hunt?

Foraging

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