Bird Gallery Index

Snowy Plover (breeding plumage)
image © Joseph Kennedy. Photo taken in April at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary

Family: (Charadriidae) Plovers and Lapwings

Preferred Habitat: Sandy beaches and barren ground.

Seasonal Occurrence: Common fall through spring.

Notes: Snowy Plovers are similar in appearance to Piping Plovers, but the plumage is paler. Note also the Snowy Plover's gray legs (Piping Plovers have orange legs) and relatively long black bill. In Texas the Snowy Plover is not an endangered species, but it is listed as endangered or threatened in several states. Its nests which are built directly on the beach face numerous threats, and loss of suitable habitat has been a major problem. Snowy Plovers no longer breed on the Upper Texas Coast. Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary is one of the most reliable locations in our area to find Snowy Plovers. For more information about Snowy Plovers, consult the Audubon WatchList page.
- Susan Billetdeaux

Snowy Plover (nonbreeding plumage)
image © Joseph Kennedy. Photo taken in October at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary