Bird Gallery Index

Semipalmated Plover image © Wayne Nicholas

Family: (Charadriidae) Plovers and Lapwings

Preferred Habitat: Beaches and mudflats.

Seasonal Occurrence: Common fall through spring. Lesser numbers in the summer.

Notes: Usually our most common small plover.The plover pictured is in breeding plumage. Winter birds have duller colors and their bills are mainly black. In all plumages, the Semipalmated Plover has a darker brown back than the similarly sized Snowy Plover and Piping Plover. Although it may be found in our area in the summer, the Semipalmated Plover does not breed here. A success story for small plovers, the Semipalmated Plover may actually be increasing in numbers.
- Susan Billetdeaux