Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Black-bellied Plover

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
(aka Black-bellied Plover)

Nosy Ve, Madagascar
November 2016

The Grey Plover breeds along the Arctic coast of Russia, Siberia and North America. Most of the Russian population pass through western Europe on their way to wintering grounds in Africa. Other populations winter in southern Asia, Australia and South America. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

It is a big plover with a large head and a heavy bill. In flight it has a bold white wing-bar, black axillaries and a white rump. Photos 1 and 2 show a bird in breeding plumage (or close to full breeding plumage) while photo 3 shows a bird in non-breeding plumage.

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