Piping Plovers

These small and dwindling shorebirds have been the brunt of some controversial beach closings and laws. However, the Piping Plover still remains endangered, and thanks to these laws, has made a little bit of a comeback.

Piping Plover Picture by Len Blumin.

How to spot these rare birds!

Piping plovers are usually only about 7 inches long and area sandy-gray colored plumage, with white underparts. Breeding birds typically have a single black breastband and black bar on the forehead. The legs are a bright orange. It camouflages nicely with the sand to help evade predators. Colors fade in the winter months.

All of these species are endangered. Read up and educate yourself about what's threatened.

Find out where you can see these beautiful birds!

Piping Plovers are known to live in 3 vicinities: the Atlantic Coast, Great Lakes, and Northern Great Plains. The Great Plains variety is the most critically endangered. The Audubon site states there are approximately 6400 Piping Plover left in North America. Due to conservation efforts, this number is higher than the 1986 numbers. Texas, Florida, and Lousiana have the highest population of plovers.

Piping Plovers prefer nesting in small, sparsely vegetated, sandy, low-lying dunescapes. After arriving between March and May, the plovers will remain for 3-4 months to nest. Short, shallow depressions in the rocky sand are the perfect camouflage for the rock-colored eggs. Eggs are incubated for 30 days by both parents. After incubation, the new plover chicks are fed by the parents for a month until they are flight-ready. The birds then migrate for the wintering grounds between July and October.

What do they Eat?

Plovers eat worms, insects and small crustaceans in the soft, wet sand. As you can see in the video below, the birds will run for the newly wet sand to find food. They run in spurts, stopping short all the time, making it difficult for predators and humans to spot them.

Piping Plover Tote Bag

This 100% cotton canvas tote bag is a perfect gift idea for birders, and a great way to show your love this cute shorebird! Great for grocery shopping, for work, school, and as a gift. Features a hand drawn image of a Piping Plover on both sides. Machine washable and durable, this tote also holds quite a bit!

Controversy over beach closures for these endangered birds

There have been several beaches and areas closed for the conservation of the Piping Plover species. Beaches in Rhode Island and Massachusetts have been completely closed at times to save the rare bird. This is a controversial move, often met with plenty of critique and praise at the same time. However, since the Piping Plover was declared threatened in 1986 and conservation tactics have been implemented, the numbers have increased in some areas.

How can you help to save Piping Plovers?

Preservation of popular, known nesting sites, obeying posted signs and fencing around plover nests, and following restrictions on loose, roaming pets (one of the Piping Plover's predators) will ensure their ability to reproduce. Spreading the word through public education is necessary to continue these efforts. Follow the links below to find out more about the Piping Plover and what you can do to help.

Seen a Piping Plover lately? Have some thoughts about this lens? Be sure to leave them here!