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Piping Plover

Charadrius melodus · Species of bird
Order
Charadriiformes
Codes
pipplo, PIPL

About the Piping Plover

The piping plover is a sand-colored, sparrow-sized shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America. The adult has yellow-orange-red legs, a black band across the forehead from eye to eye, and a black stripe running along the breast line. This chest band is usually thicker in males during the breeding season, and it is the only reliable way to tell the sexes apart. The bird is difficult to see when it is standing still, as it blends well with open, sandy beach habitats. It typically runs in short, quick spurts and then stops.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyPlovers and Lapwings (Charadriidae)
SpeciesCharadrius melodus
Species Codespipplo, PIPL

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the Piping Plover belong to?

The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) belongs to the Plovers and Lapwings family (Charadriidae), in the order Charadriiformes.

How can I identify the Piping Plover?

The piping plover is a sand-colored, sparrow-sized shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America. The adult has yellow-orange-red legs, a black band across the forehead from eye to eye, and a black stripe running along the breast line. This chest band is usual...

Where can I report a Piping Plover sighting?

You can log sightings of Piping Plover on eBird (ebird.org) using species code pipplo, or on iNaturalist.