Birds · Charadriiformes · Charadriidae

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarola

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The grey plover breeds on the Arctic tundra of Siberia, Alaska and northern Canada and spends the winter in marshes and estuaries on practically every temperate and tropical coast on the planet. In breeding plumage it is boldly black and white; in winter, a subdued mottled grey. It is one of the most territorial waders in winter: it defends the same stretch of marsh against its own kind all season.

Weight

170 g – 320 g

Size

27 cm – 31 cm

Lifespan

25 years

Diet

Insectivore

Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

Activity

Irregular activity

Active at irregular times, by day or night depending on circumstances.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

TundraOceanFreshwaterPolarInsectivore Variable activity Solitary Bird Tundra Ocean Freshwater Polar

100countries 32parks10same family

Fun facts

GeneralIt travels as much as 10,000 km between the tundra and the marshes of Europe and Africa.
It is one of the most widely distributed wintering waders in the world: it is found in winter from the North Sea to Australia, South Africa and Chile.
It feeds at night as well when the tide allows, locating prey by the noise and vibration they make in the mud, and that ability lets it exploit the whole tidal cycle.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Arctic tundra when breeding; saltmarsh and beaches in winter
Birth weight: Precocial: born covered in down and leaves the nest within a few hours
Size at birth: Precocial: born covered in down and leaves the nest within a few hours
Sexual maturity: 2 years
Gestation / incubation: 27 days
Litter / clutch size: 4