ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover

These plovers are frequent Ohio migrants, and may be becoming more common. As populations of Arctic-nesting geese like the snow goose have boomed, they have created localized disturbance of the tundra which produces better semipalmated plover nesting habitat.

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Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

At-a-Glance

• Incubation: 23-25 days

• Clutch Size: 4 eggs

• Young Fledge: 22-31 days after hatching

• Typical Foods: aquatic invertebrates

Description
These small plovers look like tiny killdeer with one breast band. The bill is stubby and yellow-orange with a black tip.

Habitat and Habits
This plover is primarily a species of open mud, although they will range into wet grassy fields, vegetated upper reaches of mudflats, and river and lake shorelines. An oft-given call is a clear whistle -- chur-wee -- that carries long distances. When alarmed, they give a loud, hard series of notes -- kip-kip-kip -- delivered in rapid succession.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
Breeding takes place on sandy or mossy tundra. Nests are shallow depressions in the ground, often surrounded by pebbles and shells.