Semipalmated Plover

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The Semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) is a small shorebird found on the West, Gulf and East Coasts.

They are characterized by the single black band on the breast and a small bill that has an orange shade at the base and black shade at the tip.

Like Killdeers, Semipalmated plovers are fairly adaptable birds, and their population is considered stable.

During migration they will rest at both salt and freshwater locations around the East and West Coasts. They breed in a variety of coastal setting in the Arctic North.

Piping plovers and snowy plovers, on the other hand, have not been as adaptable to habitat loss. Their population trends are more uncertain.

© 2006 Patricia A. Michaels