Charadriidae bird family

Order Charadriiformes · 11 selected species

Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.

Double-banded PloverAnarhynchus bicinctusSmall migratory plover. Widespread in New Zealand breeding on braided rivers on both the North and South Islands. Much of the population migrates to overwinter along coastal areas in Australia, but also ventures into freshwater wetlands and grasslands. In breeding plumage, adult has two dark bands on breast, the upper band thin and blackish, the lower band broad and rusty. Nonbreeding birds more difficult to distinguish from other similar plovers: look for pale hindcollar, buff color on face, and two diffuse gray-brown streaks extending onto the breast from near the bend of the wing. This species also has shorter legs and a shorter, thinner bill than Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers.

Inland DotterelPeltohyas australisMedium-sized plover endemic to Australia, inhabiting arid, inland areas. Favors flat, open landscapes, usually with scattered, short vegetation. Inconspicuous during the day, this species is more obvious at night when feeding on insects. Often seen next to inland roads. Orange-brown underparts and black streaky patterning on upperparts, with white rump, vertical black line through the eye, and distinctive “Y”-shaped breast marking (less obvious in juvenile).

Kentish PloverAnarhynchus alexandrinusSmall, pale plover with broken black collar, sandy upperparts, grayish legs, and rather fine black bill. Breeding plumage has black mask and black tabs at sides of breast (not a complete band). Nonbreeding plumages have black replaced by brown. Mainly coastal, on sandy beaches, dry mudflats, and at salt ponds, usually near water; also locally inland. Migrants will join with flocks of other shorebirds.

Long-billed PloverThinornis placidusMedium-sized plover. Breeds in flowing rivers with shingle islands and banks; outside of breeding season, can be found in slower rocky rivers, as well as flooded fields and lakeshores. Resembles a larger version of Little Ringed Plover—similarly brown, white below, with black neck band, white collar, and white supercilium—but lacks the yellow eyering of Little and is much larger, with longer wings and tail giving Long-billed a very different shape. Sometimes difficult to spot, as it is well camouflaged among rocks and pebbles, and often first detected by its sharp alarm call, “piwee”, given when flushed. Longer bill not an especially reliable feature for field identification.

Long-toed LapwingVanellus crassirostrisLarge, long-legged upland shorebird. Boldly marked with a white face and throat framed by a black nape and breast band. In the southern part of the range, the wing is mostly white with a black patch at the tip; in the north, the wing is half black and half white. Usually found singly or in pairs. Core habitat is wetlands with floating vegetation, but can sometimes be found in other wetland habitats like mudflats. The call is a long, dry series of high-pitched ticking notes. A distinctive species that is unlikely to be confused.

Madagascar PloverAnarhynchus thoracicusSmall plover with a brown back, pale underparts, and a black chest band. Distinctive head pattern, with one black stripe behind the eye and another across the forehead. Rare Madagascar endemic that is found along the western and southern coast. Preferred habitat is open fields with very short grass, and adjacent coastal mudflats. Acts like a typical plover, running and plucking food from the ground. Similar to Kittlitz’s Plover, but has a chest band. Duller juvenile can still be identified by its vague breast band. Smaller and paler than Common Ringed Plover, with a more complex head pattern.

Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaSlender plover spangled with gold. Breeding plumage shows black belly and face with mottled white sides and undertail coverts and a white stripe down the side of the neck that continues onto the sides of the chest and flanks. Nonbreeding plumage is duller grayish-brown overall with a variable golden wash, often quite bright. Juveniles are crisp and neatly spangled above, washed with gold on the upperparts. At all seasons, note more slender shape, slightly smaller bill, and brighter golden tones than Black-bellied Plover, along with grayish underwing in flight. Extremely similar to American Golden-Plover; Pacific is slightly shorter-winged, longer-legged, and larger-billed, but these features are difficult to judge. Juvenile Pacific is usually brighter than American, especially on the face and neck. Pacific found more regularly on beaches and mudflats than American, but much overlap; also note range. Breeds on Arctic tundra from Alaska to Russia. Winters extensively across Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand; small numbers found in fall on west coast of U.S. Note voice: a quick “pip” note followed by a rising “plooEEP!”, first note shorter and more clipped than Black-bellied. Also makes shorter, more plaintive calls similar to American but lower-pitched.

Piping PloverCharadrius melodusSmall, plump, pale plover; the color of dry sand. In breeding plumage look for thin broken black collar across chest, black stripe across forehead, orange legs, and orange bill with black tip. Nonbreeding and immature birds have black bills and sandy-colored breastbands. White wingstripe visible in flight. Notably paler than other small plovers, with the exception of Snowy, from which Piping is distinguished by thicker bill and orange legs. Sometimes seen near other shorebirds, but rarely ventures far from the high, dry side of the beach. Often quite vocal; gives a sad-sounding two-parted whistle that drops in pitch: "pwee-doo." A species of great conservation concern, due to coastal development and disturbance at nesting sites on beaches.

Red-wattled LapwingVanellus indicusA distinctly marked lapwing with a black breast and throat and a red bill with a black tip. It also sports red wattles in front of the eyes and a white patch that runs down the cheeks to the underparts. In flight, note the black flight feathers that contrast with the white wing patch. Usually found in small groups around water bodies, agricultural fields, and dry land. They feed primarily on insects, catching them in a typical plover like manner, running a short distance and picking up food from ground. A bird known for its characteristics loud alarm call, often compared to the words “Did we do it?”

Snowy PloverAnarhynchus nivosusSmall, pale plover with broken collar. In breeding plumage, black ear patch is distinctive. Thin black bill separates from other small plovers at all times of year. Also note relatively long, grayish legs. Typically uncommon. Found on sandy beaches on the coast and inland; usually singly or in small loose flocks. Larger numbers gather at key sites after breeding in summer and fall. Quickly darts around searching for invertebrates in the sand.