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Snowy Plover Identification

Snowy Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Small shorebird with a horizontal posture and a short neck. Breeding adults have a black crown stripe, a dark ear patch, and a black patch on the side of the neck. Pale sandy gray above and white below. Bill is black in all seasons.

© Sam Heinrich | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, February 17, 2016
Snowy Plover Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adult

Nonbreeding birds lack the dark crown stripe and have a paler neck stripe. Sandy gray above and white below with a black bill and gray legs.

© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 12, 2013
Snowy Plover Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adult

Rests and forages on the higher parts of the beach with loose sand. Often hunkers down in depressions in the sand to rest.

© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 12, 2013
Snowy Plover Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding adult

Small shorebird with a horizontal posture and a short, black bill. The facial marks on nonbreeding birds are paler. Note gray legs.

© Tom Unsicker | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 05, 2016
Snowy Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Some breeding birds show a darker ear patch in addition to the black crown and neck stripe. The bill is dark in all seasons.

© Noah Strycker | Macaulay LibraryOregon, April 27, 2013
Snowy Plover Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Breeds on sparsely vegetated sandy beaches and lake shores.

© Luke SeitzCalifornia, March 25, 2013
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Adult Description

  • Small shorebird.
  • Legs moderately long.
  • Neck short.
  • Back pale tan.
  • Underparts white.
  • Dark patches on sides of neck reaching around onto top of chest.
  • Legs dark.

Immature Description

Similar to nonbreeding adult, but with scaly pale edging on back feathers.
Relative Size

Relative Sizebetween sparrow and robinbetween sparrow and robin
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 5.9-6.7 in (15-17 cm)
    • Weight: 1.2-2.0 oz (34-58 g)
    • Wingspan: 13.4 in (34 cm)

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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