European Golden Plover vs Grey Plover: How to Tell Them Apart

European Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricaria

Medium214 gGrassland

The European golden plover is quite thickset, with its wings only being slightly longer than its tail. Its most distinct feature is a white "s"-shaped band stretching from its forehead to its flanks.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Lionel Triboulin · Nocturnal flight call · Arrondissement de Rouen (near Le Mesnil-Esnard), Seine-Maritime, Normandie, France · CC0

Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarola

Medium250 gGrassland

The grey plover is 27–30 cm (11–12 in) long with a wingspan of 71–83 cm (28–33 in) and a weight of 190–280 g (6.7–9.9 oz) (up to 345 g (12.2 oz) in preparation for migration). In spring and summer (late April or May to August), adults are spotted black and white on the back and wings. The face and neck are black with a white border; they have a black breast and belly and a white rump. The tail is white with black barring. The bill and legs are black.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Vains, Manche, Normandie, France · CC0

Photo: TRinaud · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

And 36 more countries.

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: European Golden Plover and Grey Plover.