Bird Guide

Grey Plover vs Pacific Golden Plover

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

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

Sonogram of the Grey Plover
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Vains, Manche, Normandie, France · CC0
Photo: TRinaud · CC BY 4.0
Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva)

Pacific Golden Plover

Pluvialis fulva

Medium135 gGrassland

Adults are about 25 cm (9.8 in) long with a wingspan averaging 61 cm (24 in) At their lightest, fat free, the birds weigh around 135 g (4.8 oz) In March, the birds begin gaining weight. Before leaving for their Arctic breeding grounds, the birds weigh about 200 g (7.1 oz). In breeding plumage, the male is spotted gold and black on the crown, back, and wings. Face and neck are black bordered with white, breast is black, rump is dark. Bill is black, legs are gray to black. Female similar but black breast mottled and less distinct. In nonbreeding plumage, sexes look identical.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Pacific Golden Plover
Recorded by Max Karlsson · Flight call · Ottenby, Mörbylånga Municipality, Kalmar län, Sweden · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Satdeep Gill · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

And 59 more countries.

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

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