ExploreBirds

Piping Plover

Charadrius melodus

The Piping Plover is a small, sandy-colored bird that loves to live on beaches. It has a sweet, whistling call and is known for its tiny size and cute appearance.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Piping Plover is a small, pale shorebird with sand-colored plumage on its back and white underparts. It has a short, stout black bill, distinctive orange legs, and a single black band across its breast and a black bar on its forehead during breeding season, making it blend perfectly with its beach habitat.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyCharadriidaeGenusCharadrius
Piping Plover
camouflaged trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgediurnal trait badge
Piping Plover

Category

Birds

Rarity

Rare

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Piping Plover chicks can leave the nest and find their own food just hours after hatching!

Their nests are just shallow scrapes in the sand, sometimes lined with small pebbles!

These tiny birds migrate thousands of kilometers, flying from Canada all the way to the Caribbean!

They nest directly on sandy beaches, making their camouflaged eggs nearly invisible!

Special abilities

Ability

Instant Blend-In

Piping Plover can disappear into its sandy surroundings because its pale feathers perfectly match the beach environment.

Ability

Broken Wing Play

Piping Plover can pretend to have a broken wing that helps them lure predators away from their hidden nests and chicks.

Ability

Vibration Sensing

Piping Plover can detect tiny vibrations in the sand that helps them find hidden insect prey without seeing them.

Measurements & details

Length
17-18 cm
Wingspan
38-48 cm
Weight
0.043-0.063 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
26-31 days
Migration Distance
3000 km

Diet & Feeding

These small birds dash along beaches to gobble up tiny marine worms, insects, and crustaceans.

Primary Foods

  • Marine worms
  • Beetle larvae
  • Flies
  • Crustaceans
  • Mollusks

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Herring Gull

Larus argentatus

Preys on eggs and chicks.

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Hunts adult plovers and their young.

eats

Sandworm

Nereis virens

Forages for these marine worms.

eats

European Green Crab

Carcinus maenas

Consumes small crab species.

Traits

Also known as

Plover

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always be gentle and quiet around birds so they feel safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Piping Plover?

17-18 cm

What is Piping Plover's wingspan?

38-48 cm

How much does Piping Plover weigh?

0.043-0.063 kg

How long does Piping Plover live?

5-10 years

How fast can Piping Plover move?

40 km/h

What does Piping Plover eat?

These small birds dash along beaches to gobble up tiny marine worms, insects, and crustaceans.

Where is Piping Plover usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Piping Plover hunt?

Foraging

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Where to spot

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