# Little Ringed Plover (*Thinornis dubius*) The Little Ringed Plover is a small bird that loves to live near water. It has a cute round body and a special ring around its neck that makes it easy to spot! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Little Ringed Plover](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Charadrius_dubius_%2849820761043%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: xulescu_g, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charadrius_dubius_%2849820761043%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Little Ringed Plover has a sandy-brown back, white underparts, and a distinct black and white head pattern. Its striking yellow eye-ring makes it stand out from similar shorebirds and it also has a black breast band. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Charadriidae - **Genus:** Thinornis ## Interesting facts - Baby plovers hatch with open eyes and can run just hours later! - Their yellow eye-ring looks like nature's cool sunglasses! - These tiny birds can travel across entire continents to find food. - They often nest on exposed gravel, even on factory rooftops. ## Special abilities - **Broken Wing Trick:** Little Ringed Plover can fake an injury to distract predators, drawing them away from its hidden nest. - **Stealth Camouflage:** Little Ringed Plover has eggs and chicks perfectly camouflaged on stony ground, helping them hide from danger. - **Ground Vibration Sensor:** Little Ringed Plover can detect hidden prey by sensing tiny vibrations in the ground with its feet. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 14-17 cm - **Wingspan:** 42-47 cm - **Weight:** 0.032-0.048 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-12 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-4 - **Incubation:** 22-28 days - **Migration Distance:** 5000 km ## Diet & Feeding They snack on tiny insects and worms found in muddy or wet places. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, flies, midges, larvae, worms, small crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Midge larvae (*Chironomus plumosus*) — A key food source in muddy habitats. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Preys on eggs, chicks, and adult birds. - **Eaten by:** [Carrion Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carrion-crow) (*Corvus corone*) — Often steals eggs and young from nests. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Little Ringed Plover? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Little Ringed Plover? 14-17 cm ### What is Little Ringed Plover's wingspan? 42-47 cm ### How much does Little Ringed Plover weigh? 0.032-0.048 kg ### How long does Little Ringed Plover live? 8-12 years ### How fast can Little Ringed Plover move? 70 km/h ### What does Little Ringed Plover eat? They snack on tiny insects and worms found in muddy or wet places. ### Where is Little Ringed Plover usually found? Coastal areas ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Little Ringed Plover: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-ringed-plover)