ExploreBirds

Snowy Plover

Anarhynchus nivosus

The Snowy Plover is a small, cute bird that loves to live on sandy beaches. It has a soft, light-colored body and a tiny beak perfect for finding food in the sand.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Snowy Plover is a tiny shorebird with pale, sandy-brown upperparts and bright white underparts. It has a distinctive dark patch on its shoulder, a short dark bill, and dark legs. This light coloring helps it blend perfectly with sandy beaches and salt flats.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyCharadriidaeGenusCharadrius
Snowy Plover
feathered trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgecoastal trait badgediurnal trait badge
Snowy Plover

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Chicks hatch ready to run, leaving the nest within hours!

Dad plovers often finish raising chicks after mom flies off.

Their nests are just shallow scrapes in the sand, lined with shells!

These birds love to take dust baths to keep their feathers clean.

Special abilities

Ability

Sand Sentinel

Snowy Plovers can disappear into plain sight, using their pale feathers to blend seamlessly with sandy beaches and salt flats.

Ability

Feigned Foe Fighter

Snowy Plovers will fake a broken wing to distract predators, leading them away from their precious eggs hidden in the sand.

Ability

Nature's Thermostat

Snowy Plovers can keep their eggs cool by wetting their belly feathers and sitting on them to protect from sun.

Measurements & details

Length
15-17 cm
Wingspan
38-43 cm
Weight
0.035-0.055 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
Clutch Size
2-3
Incubation
26-30 days
Migration Distance
1000 km

Diet & Feeding

A tiny hunter, it pecks up small insects and marine worms from the sand.

Primary Foods

  • Beach hoppers
  • Marine worms
  • Fly larvae
  • Beetles
  • Tiny crabs

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Snowy Plover?

15-17 cm

What is Snowy Plover's wingspan?

38-43 cm

How much does Snowy Plover weigh?

0.035-0.055 kg

How long does Snowy Plover live?

5-10 years

How fast can Snowy Plover move?

40 km/h

What does Snowy Plover eat?

A tiny hunter, it pecks up small insects and marine worms from the sand.

Where is Snowy Plover usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Snowy Plover hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Birds