Birdsong field guide
Black-bellied Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
The largest North American plover, known for its striking silver-and-black breeding plumage and its role as a wary sentinel of the shoreline.
What it sounds like
A mournful, clear three-note whistle described as 'tlee-oo-eee', with the middle note lower in pitch.
Field notes
- It is the only North American plover that possesses a small, vestigial hind toe (hallux).
- In the Old World, this species is known as the Grey Plover, referring to its drabber non-breeding appearance.
- It acts as a sentinel for other shorebirds, often being the first to sound a loud alarm call when a predator or human approaches.
- Its relatively large eyes are an adaptation for foraging by sight, both during the day and at night.
- Breeding males exhibit a starkly solid black underside that extends from the face down to the belly, sharply contrasted by a checkered silver back.
Habitat
Arctic tundra for nesting; coastal mudflats, beaches, and estuaries during migration and winter.
Range
Nearly cosmopolitan; breeds in the high Arctic of North America and Eurasia, wintering on coasts worldwide.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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