Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)

Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)

Brazilian name: Batuíra-de-bando

Semipalmated Plover, Cayo Coco, Cuba, February 2005 - click on image for a larger view

The Semipalmated Plover breeds in Canada and Alaska and migrates during the northern winter to the coasts of southern USA, Central America, the Caribbean and both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America to Patagonia and southern Chile.

It is very similar to the Ringed Plover C. hiaticula and these two species have sometimes been considered conspecific.

The name "Semipalmated" derives from semi = half and palmatus = palmate or webbed and I have blown up the 2nd photo to show the webbing between the toes of this plover.

Photos 1 and 2 were taken in Cuba in February and photos 3, 4 and 5 were taken in Arembepe, Bahia in November. They show the non-breeding plumage where the short, stubby bill is almost totally black and the white forecrown joins up with the supercilium. It is grey-brown on the head and chest compared to black in breeding plumage. In flight it shows a long white wing-bar.

Semipalmated Plover, Arembepe, Bahia, Brazil, November 2008 - click on image for a larger view

Photos 6 and 7 were taken in the Yukon, Canada in May and show the breeding plumage where the forecrown is black with a distinct white patch and the collar is also black. The bill is orange with a black tip.

There are recordings on xeno-canto, a distribution map from NatureServe and additional information available via Avibase. There is a page with excellent photos on Wikiaves.

Semipalmated Plover, Dezadeash Lake, Yukon, Canada, May 2009 - click on image for a larger view

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