About the Semipalmated Plover
The semipalmated plover is a small plover. Charadrius is a Late Latin word for a yellowish bird mentioned in the fourth-century Vulgate. It derives from Ancient Greek kharadrios a bird found in ravines and river valleys. The specific semipalmatus is Latin and comes from semi, "half" and palma, "palm". Like the English name, this refers to its only partially webbed feet.
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ID tip
This species weighs a mean 47.4 g (1.7 oz.) for males and 46.1 g (1.6 oz.) for females, with body masses ranging from 37.6-54.7 g (1.3-1.9 oz.). and measures 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in) in length with a 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) mean wing length. Adults have a grey-brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with one black neckband. They have a brown cap, a white forehead, a black mask around the eyes and a short orange and black bill.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Semipalmated Plover sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Norway, France, Japan, Mauritania, Paraguay, Marshall Islands, Russia.
When to see it
Peak activity in August · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Common Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaAdults are 17–19.5 cm (6.7–7.7 in) in length with a 35–41 cm (14–16 in) wingspan.
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusThe piping plover is a stout bird with a large rounded head, a short thick neck, and a stubby bill.
KilldeerCharadrius vociferusThe killdeer is a tall and slender plover, with a relatively long tail.
Side by side: Killdeer vs Semipalmated Plover · Common Ringed Plover vs Semipalmated Plover · Piping Plover vs Semipalmated Plover
Learn the Semipalmated Plover for real
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