Pluvialis squatarola
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Mass
~250 g
Habitat
Grasslands and meadows
Diet
Fish and aquatic animals
How to recognize it
Black-bellied Plover feels neat and purposeful, especially on open shores or in tundra. In breeding plumage it looks much darker and more contrasted, while in other seasons it becomes a quieter grey-brown shorebird.
It moves with quick runs and sudden pauses, then stands alert before going back to feed. Its voice is long and musical, often repeating sounds like “too-lee-too-lee” or “tyuirl-i”.
It is tied to the Arctic tundra and coastal edges, and on migration turns up much farther south. It feeds on worms, crustaceans, molluscs, insects and their larvae, and in winter also takes marine invertebrates.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
Black-bellied Plover feels neat and purposeful, especially on open shores or in tundra. In breeding plumage it looks much darker and more contrasted, while in other seasons it becomes a quieter grey-brown shorebird.
It moves with quick runs and sudden pauses, then stands alert before going back to feed. Its voice is long and musical, often repeating sounds like “too-lee-too-lee” or “tyuirl-i”.
It is tied to the Arctic tundra and coastal edges, and on migration turns up much farther south. It feeds on worms, crustaceans, molluscs, insects and their larvae, and in winter also takes marine invertebrates.
