Bird Watcher's Digest: Home Bird Watcher's Digest Magazine The Backyard Birds Newsletter The Bird Watcher's Digest App Bird Watcher's Digest Nature Shop

Bird Identification

in

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus L 7 ¼" (18cm)

Illustration by Julie Zickefoose

Listen to a semipalmated plover.

The semi-palmated plover is one of the few species of small plovers in North America that show a single breast band. The semipalmated plover is dark above, with bright orange legs. There is often at least some orange at the bill base, and extensive orange during the breeding season. The bill on the semipalmated starts with a medium-thick base and tapers fairly evenly along its length before coming to a fine point.

The semipalmated plover is common on beaches, lakeshores, and tidal flats and is seen throughout North America during migration.

Its distinctive call is a husky whistled chu-weet or kweet, and the flight song is repeated whistled too-ee, too-ee.

This sound file requires RealPlayer. Bird song courtesy of Lang Elliott, NatureSound Studio.

Wading Birds

SECTION FEATURES - FESTIVAL

You Might Like

Timelapse PlantCam

Watch your plants grow in fast-forward with the new Timelapse PlantCam. The PlantCam is rugged and weatherproof, and automatically takes photos and videos at set time intervals. It then stitches the photos together to create a video showing in minutes or seconds what usually can't be seen with the naked eye. The result is a seamless movie of your plants growing! Only $79.95 in our store!

Buy now »

Jack Pine Firebird—Kirtland's Warbler

The Jack Pine Firebird—Kirtland's Warbler lithograph by Charley Harper (1922-2007) is an open (unnumberd) edition hand-titled and stamped with his audio seal. The image was commissioned by Ford Times magazine and appeared in 1978. A certificate of authenticity from the Charley Harper Art Studio will accompany each print. Starts at $50.00 in our store.

Buy now »

The Young Birder's Guide to Birds of Eastern North America

This lively guide is an invitation to kids to get outside and look at birds. Unlike field guides for adults, which can be overwhelming, this one provides just the right amount of information to be useful and fun. Loaded with color photographs, drawings, interesting facts, range maps and an easy-to-use species checklist, it's the perfect companion for hours of birdwatching fun. Only $14.95 in our store!

Buy now »