Black-Bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

County List:

Rule:

Nonforested Landscapes

Migration Habitat 1st alternative:
      (Lake or Pond or River)
   adjacent to:
      Shorelines/Mudflats

Migration Habitat 2nd alternative:
      Shorelines/Mudflats

Habitat List:

view size class definitions

Literature:

This stocky plover breeds in high Arctic zones around the world and winters on the coasts of six continents. Some can be seen along our beaches throughout the year (including nonbreeding immatures through the summer).

Habitat: Mudflats, open marshes, beaches; in summer, tundra. For nesting, favors drier tundra often more barren ridges above lowland lakes and rivers. Sometimes in lower wet tundra near coast. In winter, mostly on open sandy beaches, tidal flats. During migration will often stop in shortgrass prairie or plowed fields.

Diet: Insects, mollusks, crustaceans, marine worms. In coastal situations (where it spends most of the year), eats many polychaete worms, also mollusks, crustaceans, some insects.