2015 Bonanza Bird #22: Black-bellied Plover

December 22, 2015 in Birdorable Bonanza 2015, New Birds and Plovers with 5 comments

Our Birdorable Bonanza: 2015 Advent Edition has just has a few more days to go! Today's new bird is a widespread species of plover: the Black-bellied Plover!

Black-bellied Plovers are medium-sized shorebirds that breed in the high Arctic, in tundra habitat. During the winter months, this migratory species can be found along ocean coasts all around the world.

Black-bellied Plovers feed on insects and some plant material while breeding on the Arctic tundra. Their winter diet is very different, with coastal prey like crustaceans, marine worms and more on the menu.

Black-bellied Plovers change their look along with their location throughout the year. Breeding adult plovers have a striking black and white pattern on the back with a white-bordered black belly, breast, neck, and face. During the winter the plumage is much more subdued, with greyish upperparts and dull white underparts. Outside of North America the species is known as the Grey Plover.

Black-bellied Plover in breeding plumage by nigel (CC BY 2.0)

Black-Bellied Plover, Winter Plumage. Barnegat N.J.

Black-bellied Plover in winter plumage by Peter Massas (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Black-bellied Plover joins Birdorable today as our 638th cute cartoon bird. Be sure to check out our selection of apparel and gifts featuring our Birdorable Black-bellied Plover.

Tomorrow our Bonanza will reveal a type of heron with a very wide bill. Can you guess tomorrow's species?

Comments

Ann Elliott on December 22, 2015 at 1:08 PM wrote:

Four-year-old Elliott knows it is the Boat-billed heron!

Birdorable (Arthur) on December 23, 2015 at 10:22 AM wrote:

Very good, you got it right: http://www.birdorable.com/blog/2015-bonanza-bird-23-boat-billed-heron/

Louise Warner on February 25, 2017 at 9:30 AM wrote:

boat bill heron?

Spurwing Plover on May 30, 2022 at 6:14 PM wrote:

Plover come back to me

Spurwing Plover on June 14, 2022 at 6:33 AM wrote:

Sandpipers,Lapwings and Plovers are related

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