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Wilson's Plover Identification

Wilson's Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Medium-sized shorebird with a big-headed look, and a long, thick bill. Breeding adults have a black band around the neck. Bill is black in all seasons. Often stands with a hunched horizontal posture.

© Chris Wood | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 23, 2007
Wilson's Plover Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding adults have a pale brown collar. Note the thick black bill and pale flesh-colored legs.

© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, September 28, 2016
Wilson's Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Superficially like Semipalmated Plover, but with a longer and thicker, almost oversized bill that is all black.

© Tom Johnson | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 01, 2014
Wilson's Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

In flight tip of tail is black with white edges and wings are long and slender.

© Jesse Amesbury | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, May 09, 2016
Wilson's Plover Adults
Adults

Often gathers in groups during the nonbreeding season. Hunkers down in the sand to rest away from the water's edge.

© Adam Hull | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, November 06, 2016
Wilson's Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Breeding adults have a black neck band. The long, thick black bill is diagnostic.

© Chris Wood | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, April 23, 2007
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Adult Description

  • Medium-sized shorebird.
  • Legs moderately long.
  • Neck short.
  • Back brown.
  • Underparts white with one thick black or brown band on chest.

Immature Description

Similar to nonbreeding adult, but with less distinct breast band and scaly pale edging on back feathers.
Relative Size

Relative Sizebetween sparrow and robinbetween sparrow and robin
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 6.3-7.9 in (16-20 cm)
    • Weight: 1.9-2.5 oz (55-70 g)

Species in This Family

Plovers and Lapwings(Order: Charadriiformes, Family:Charadriidae)

Black-bellied PloverBlack-bellied Plover
American Golden-PloverAmerican Golden-Plover
Pacific Golden-PloverPacific Golden-Plover
Snowy PloverSnowy Plover
Wilson's PloverWilson's Plover
Semipalmated PloverSemipalmated Plover
Piping PloverPiping Plover
KilldeerKilldeer
Mountain PloverMountain Plover

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