Wilson's Plover
Anarhynchus wilsonia
Large black bill is diagnostic. Slightly larger than similar plovers, with large blocky head. Breeding plumage shows thick black band across breast, white forehead, and bolder face pattern; nonbreeding birds show less contrast. Legs dull pinkish. Found on sandy beaches, usually singly but sometimes in small loose flocks. Medium-brown upperparts similar but slightly paler than Semipalmated Plover, notably darker than Snowy or Piping.
Identification
The breeding male has a black breast band, lores and forecrown, and a rufous mask. Females and non-breeding males have a similar plumage, but the black of the breeding male is replaced by brown or rufous. Non-breeders have a greyer tint to the head and breast band.Immature birds are similar to the female, but the breast band is often incomplete. The adult's upper parts are mainly dark grey, with a short white wing bar and white tail sides. The underparts are white except for a breast band, and the legs are pink, brighter when breeding. The dark bill is large and heavy for a plover of this size. The call is a high weak whistle.<p>Measurements:
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Anarhynchus wilsonia
- Authority
- (Ord, 1814)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Charadriidae
- Genus
- Anarhynchus
Range and habitat
It is a partial migrant. Birds leave the United States, except Florida, to winter south in Brazil. Some Mexican birds leave in winter for Peru. Furthermore, a small resident population is known from Brazil, it being named as a new subspecies, brasiliensis, in 2008. In 2012 it was established that this is a junior synonym, and the correct name for the subspecies is crassirostris. This also means that one of the subspecies of the greater sand plover had to be renamed.<p>This strictly coastal plover nests on a bare scrape on sandy beaches or sandbars.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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