dcsimg

Lifespan, longevity, and ageing

provided by AnAge articles
Maximum longevity: 9.2 years (wild)
license
cc-by-3.0
copyright
Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
editor
de Magalhaes, J. P.
partner site
AnAge articles

Associations

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Semipalmated plovers are vulnerable to predation by large mammals such as Arctic foxes, red foxes, and weasels. They are also vulnerable to larger avian predators such as peregrine falcons, merlins, prairie falcons, common ravens, rough-legged hawks, herring gulls, and parasitic jaegers. These predators usually prey on the eggs, chicks, and adult semipalmated plovers. Charadrius semipalmatus inhabits areas of sparse vegetation covered with clay, loose stones, pebbles, or sand and rely on their cryptic plumage and the coloration of their eggs as concealment from these predators.

Upon encounter with predators, semipalmated plovers demonstrate a variety of aggressive or passive anti-predator tactics. Semipalmated plovers use an aggressive “mobbing display” with other shorebirds in the vicinity to intimidate or discourage the approach of a potential predator. This defense may be costly to these plovers because it can risk injury or death by the predators. Another, luring defense is demonstrated by parents who stay within sight of predators when predators are near the chicks, and will attempt to distract predators away from the chicks. Incubating semipalmated plovers may employ more passive nest defense behaviors. They use distraction displays in which the plovers run and fly away from the nest. Once they are a certain distance from their eggs, they vocalize loudly to lure the predators away from the nest. The intensity of these calls increases as the eggs near hatching. Other parents go into a crouched position and wait for the threat to pass, relying on their highly cryptic plumage to avoid detection.

One particularly interesting passive defense mechanism demonstrated by semipalmated plovers is “feigning injury." When approached by potential threats, especially humans, these plovers feign injury by fanning out and depressing their tails. In addition, they fake a broken wing, by partly opening and stretching the wings downwards. The bird then skulks off the nest towards the observer and tries to lure it away from the nest. Once the threat is no longer in the vicinity of the nest, the parent takes off and returns to its young.

Different semipalmated plovers also prefer different nesting locations for protection. Most plovers nest in open sites with little vegetation and minimal concealment. They rely on their cryptic plumage for protection and benefit from the site’s good visibility and the early detection of predators. Recent studies have also demonstrated success in plovers that build nests in dense vegetation. Although the visibility around the nest may be compromised, such sites provide microclimates that reduce thermoregulatory costs and provide concealment from some predators.

Furthermore, semipalmated plovers may seek protection from predation by either clumping their nests with other birds in high densities, or by seeking solitary nesting sites. Semipalmated plovers that clump with other birds benefit by communally acting against the threat of a predator and increasing the efficiency of the “mobbing display." Plovers that seek solitary nesting favor optimal spacing between nesting populations in order to avoid detection.

Known Predators:

  • Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus)
  • red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
  • weasels (Mustela)
  • peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus)
  • merlins (Falco columbarius)
  • prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus)
  • common ravens (Corvus corax)
  • rough-legged hawks (Buteo lagopus)
  • herring gulls (Larus argentatus)
  • parasitic jaegers (Stercorarius parasiticus)

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Untitled

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Minimal research has been conducted on Semipalmated plovers during their migratory and wintering periods. Due to the inadequate morphometric data and incomplete molt data, little is known about the transition between the dimorphic appearances of breeding and non-breeding birds. Even less is known about the presence of sexual dimorphism in migratory and wintering birds. Much research still needs to be conducted on these relatively rare shorebirds.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Behavior

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Males communicate with other members of their flock with their most common call, which consists of a soft and clear whistle. A quickened version of this common call is used for the purpose of courtship. During courtship, males also perform “butterfly flights” in which they slowly and deliberately beat their wings while flying 50 meters above the ground, around their territory. These flights are used to attract female mates, but are also used to delineate the boundaries of the male’s territory. If there is a threat present, the male will charge towards the object with his head down and wings slightly outwards. Parents communicate the presence of predators to their young with loud, rapid and repeated chutterings, which signal anxiety or nervousness.

Since semipalmated plovers communicate with others through acoustic sounds, they have well developed hearing. They also have very developed visual senses for detecting threats in the area and for capturing food. Like all birds, semipalmated plovers perceive their environment through visual, tactile, auditory and chemical stimuli.

Communication Channels: visual ; acoustic

Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Conservation Status

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Semipalmated plovers are not threatened or endangered in any area. There are however, current efforts to maintain the major migratory stop sites of the birds across North America. Since semipalmated plovers are long distance migrants, one of the primary objectives is to keep key resting and feeding stops free from human disturbance. These stops are also kept free of contaminants (such as an oil spill) in order to promote the health of these small plovers.

Furthermore, efforts are being taken to minimize human disturbance during breeding seasons. All terrain vehicle (ATV) activity has caused damage to nests in northwestern British Columbia. Vehicles that pull off road onto the roadside gravel habitats have negatively impacted nesting plovers and should be prohibited during the breeding months from May to September.

US Migratory Bird Act: protected

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

There are no known adverse affects of Charadrius semipalmatus on humans.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

There has been limited research conducted on the economic importance of semipalmated plovers. However, the importance of other similar shorebirds of the Charadrius genus suggests that semipalmated plovers may be good indicator species of the health of an ecosystem. A change in the plover population signals an imbalance in the ecosystem and can serve as a warning to monitoring biologists.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Associations

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Semipalmated plovers are opportunistic feeders and offer biological control on the small marine freshwater mollusks, worms, crustaceans and insects that they feed on. During the severe locust grasshopper outbreak in the United States between 1873 and 1876, these plovers lived entirely on a diet of these insects and played a big role in keeping the population under control.

Semipalmated plovers are also hosts to a variety of parasites including feather lice, feather mites, cestodes, nematodes, digeneans, and acanthcephalans. These plovers are also food sources for large mammals such as fox and weasels.

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

  • Feather lice
  • Feather mites
  • Cestodes Cestoda
  • Nematodes Nematoda
  • Digeneans Digenea
  • Acanthcephalans Acanthocephala
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Trophic Strategy

provided by Animal Diversity Web

The diet of Charadrius semipalmatus individuals living near the coast consists of benthic invertebrates from freshwater and marine environments. These include the larvae of long-legged and beach flies, polychaete worms, crustaceans, isopods, decapods, and copepods. They also consume small mollusks including bivalves and gastropods as well as snails such as coffee bean snails (Melampus coffeus) and Odostomia laevigata.

Charadrius semipalmatus that are more inland prefer terrestrial invertebrates such as mosquitoes, grasshoppers, beetles of the genus Ochtebius, spiders, and the larvae of soldier flies and shore flies. On land, these opportunistic feeders also feed on berries or seeds from grasslands or cultivated fields.

When semipalmated plovers feed, they search for prey visually, run several steps, and stop. When they stop, they stare, peck and quickly snatch at the prey. Their bills are small but powerful and thus are suitable for snatching prey from the surface as well as hammering hard objects. Semipalmated plovers display foot-trembling behavior while foraging. The tapping or trembling movements of one leg exposes or incites movement of cryptic invertebrates in intertidal zones and grasslands. The vibrations often startle the invertebrate to move on the surface and allow these visual foragers to capture their prey.

Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods; mollusks; aquatic or marine worms; aquatic crustaceans

Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts

Primary Diet: carnivore (Molluscivore )

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Distribution

provided by Animal Diversity Web

During the breeding season (early May to late August), semipalmated plover adults occupy Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of North America. During this period, these birds breed in areas ranging from Alaska to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

In order to escape the harsh winters of the sub-Arctic regions, semipalmated plovers undergo a seasonal migration and fly to the southern and western borders of North, Central and South America. Between the months of September to late April, they live along the Pacific coasts of southern California, Mexico, Columbia and Chile. They also inhabit the Atlantic coast from southern Virginia to southern Florida. Semipalmated plovers also inhabit regions along the Gulf Coast from southern Florida to southern Texas. They are occasionally found in the Western Caribbean. Seasonal migratory routes are consistent every year for semipalmated plovers.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); neotropical (Native )

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Habitat

provided by Animal Diversity Web

For spring breeding grounds, these shorebirds prefer flat, open areas on sandy or mossy terrain. They are found on sandy and gravel shorelines, grassy borders of rivers and ponds, wet meadows on fallow croplands, high rocky beaches, as well as sand dunes. They inhabit elevations from sea level to 1525 m above sea level. Semipalmated plovers migrate across the United States and will stopover on lake shores, ponds, or flooded fields. Their nonbreeding, winter habitats include open areas near water such as mudflats, salt marshes, sandy and muddy beaches, lagoons, salt ponds, soft tidal pools, coastal estuaries, lakes, and bays.

Range elevation: sea level to 1525 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial ; saltwater or marine ; freshwater

Terrestrial Biomes: tundra ; desert or dune ; savanna or grassland

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams; coastal ; brackish water

Other Habitat Features: agricultural ; riparian ; estuarine

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Life Expectancy

provided by Animal Diversity Web

The oldest known semipalmated plover in the wild was a banded individual, recovered at 9 years old. About 15% of breeding populations consist of 5 to 6 year old individuals. The lifespan of semipalmated plovers is often limited by the parasites harbored in their bodies. Of 5 shorebird species studied in Churchill, Manitoba, semipalmated plovers contained the most internal parasites, with 99.2% of the examined birds being infected.

Other possible causes of mortality are low temperatures during incubation, which cause parents to abandon eggs and leave them exposed to the freezing temperatures. Birds that continue to incubate in this type of environment usually suffer from low body weights.

Semipalmated plovers also suffer from predators who prey on eggs, chicks and adults. Another limiting factor is competition with other species in the area. For example, competition with killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) arises due to similar nesting habitats and as a result, interspecific aggression may occur on breeding grounds.

Range lifespan
Status: wild:
9.2 (high) years.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Morphology

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Semipalmated plovers are small plovers measuring 18.4 cm in length. They weigh 45 g on average and have wingspans of 48.3 cm.

Semipalmated plover adults have dark-brown upperparts and white underparts in both breeding and nonbreeding plumage. While in breeding plumage males feature a black breastband, a black "mask" over the eyes and across the forecrown, and a small white patch just above the bill. Above the black breastband there is a band of white which also extends across the throat. They feature short, black-tipped, orange bills and orange legs. Female breeding plumage is similar, but overall drabber. Non-breeding plumage is the same for males and females, and is very similar to breeding plumage. Notable differences include a reduction of the black "mask" to surround only the eyes and auriculars, a narrow white supercillium that connects with the white patch above the bill, and a darker bill.

Semipalmated plover chicks have darker downy feathers on their heads and backs. Their forecrowns and wings are mostly white and their bills are almost all black. Their gray feathers are speckled with black spots and their breast bands are narrower than the adults'. As they age, juvenile plovers resemble adults in non-breeding plumage but have yellowish legs.

Slight dimorphism is also present between the two sexes of semipalmated plovers though these differences are hard to distinguish in the field. Females are slightly heavier and have longer wings than males, whereas males have longer toes and bills. These mixed traits are most likely due to variable ecological and sexual selection pressures acting on different characteristics.

There are differences among similar plover species across the world. Semipalmated plovers are almost identical with their European counterparts, ringed plovers (Charadrius hiaticula), except ringed plovers exhibit a few distinguishing traits: 2 partly webbed front toes, shorter and thinner white stripes around the eye region, less black coloration on the head, and a shorter bill. There are also differences among the plover species in North and Central America. For example, a closely related species known as Wilson's plovers (Charadrius wilsonia) have a much larger head, along with a thicker and longer bill than semipalmated plovers. Snowy plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) have an incomplete breast band, paler upperparts, and black legs. Collared plovers (Charadrius collaris) have narrower and longer bills, reddish upperparts, and flesh-colored legs.

Average mass: 45 g.

Average length: 18.4 cm.

Average wingspan: 48.3 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike; female larger; male more colorful

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Reproduction

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Semipalmated plovers are socially monogamous birds during their breeding season. They pair up on their breeding grounds. Males arrive at their potential nesting sites and perform a fluttering courtship flight, which is accompanied by courtship display calls. This distinctive, slow-flap, deep wing-beat flight takes place at more than 50 meters above the ground and serves to delineate the boundaries of the male’s territory as well as to attract females. On the ground, the male then spreads and depresses his tail feathers, slightly opens his wings, and puffs his feathers while continuously calling.

Once the female has chosen a male’s territory, the male follows the female, appearing to defend her and the territory. The male displays threatening behavior to other male birds by moving toward them with his head down, and wings held slightly out from his body. The male meets the female with somewhat aggressive behavior, in which he chases her with his tail cocked and fanned while making a "chuttering" vocalization. This aggressive behavior declines as the courtship proceeds. The male makes scrapes on the ground with his feet, and the female will assist. While sitting in this new scrape, the female may also perform a tail-fanning display, indicating her decision to choose her mate and his nesting territory.

Copulation then usually occurs after the female’s tail display. The male swings his leg onto the female’s crouched back, the female raises her tail, and the cloacae touch. After copulation, both male and female peck at the ground or preen. It is usually within this scrape that the nest is built. Both sexes incubate and care for the chicks. The pair remains together until the nest is lost or the chick dies; it has been shown that pairs also stay together in subsequent seasons.

The male assures the paternity of his offspring and the monogamy of his paired mate in several ways. When he is not mating with his female he guards her by physically attacking her, which is presumably meant to discourage her from cheating with other males. This is more commonly seen in areas where there is a high likelihood of potential extra-pair partners. Physical attacks may make it more costly for the female to reject a mate's copulation, and may also be used to expel an uncooperative female from a defended territory to vacate space for other potential females.

Mating System: monogamous

Semipalmated plovers are socially monogamous birds that breed seasonally from May to August. The male arrives before the female to the mating grounds and establishes the nesting territory. The male chooses a patch of dry ground, usually on sandy or gravely substrates with relatively sparse vegetation. Then the male scrapes the boundaries of the nest on the ground with his feet, and lines the nest with material collected nearby, such as leaves and pebbles. When the female arrives to the mating grounds, the male courts her with a slow-flapping, butterfly-like flight.

Once copulation has occurred, the females begin laying their eggs, with the clutch completed within 5 days. There is an interval of 24 to 30 hours between the laying of each egg, with a complete clutch usually contains 4 eggs. For the next 23 to 25 days, both male and female equally contribute to the incubation of the eggs.

The eggs are smooth, glossy, and short with a pear-like shape. They are between 32.4 and 33.1 mm long, and 22.8 to 24.1 mm in width. The average mass of the egg ranges from 8.7 to 9.4 grams. The colors range from light brown to pale, olive buff, with small blotches of black to brownish black. Some eggs are blotched with chestnut brown or sepia color, with a few underlying spots of pale gray.

Hatching of the full clutch can last from 2 to 5 days. Once the chick has broken through the shell, it usually completes its hatching within 12 hours, but can take up to 4 days. Chicks weigh an average 6.6 grams upon hatching. The male takes the hatched chicks a short distance away from the nest in order to brood and feed them, while the mother continues to incubate the unhatched eggs of the nest. Semipalmated plover chicks are precocial and can walk and feed within hours after hatching, but are brooded by their parents up to their fifth day of age. About 15 days after the eggs hatch, the mother abandons her mate and brood, leaving the father as the sole guardian of the nest.

The chicks fully fledge between 22 to 30 days after they have hatched. Semipalmated plovers become sexually mature when they are 2 to 3 years old, and continue to breed yearly after their first breeding experience.

Breeding interval: Semipalmated plovers breed once once every year.

Breeding season: Breeding occurs from early May to late August

Range eggs per season: 2 to 5.

Average eggs per season: 4.

Range time to hatching: 24 to 25 days.

Range fledging age: 22 to 30 days.

Range time to independence: 5 to 15 days.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 to 3 years.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 to 3 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous

Prior to copulation on the breeding grounds, adult males invest time and energy in finding a suitable site for establishing their nests. Nest site selection plays a very important role on the reproductive success and survival of the offspring. Birds who select nest sites with more pebbles, less vegetative cover, and a smaller percentage of bare mud have greater hatching success than birds who select other kinds of nest sites.

Once the nest is built and eggs have been laid, males appear to be in attendance most of the time, while females are foraging nearby. Once the clutch is completed, males and females equally attend the nest and incubate throughout the day. The males usually incubate during the darkest hours, and switch off with the females every 2 to 5 hours throughout incubation. The incubation period lasts between 23 to 25 days

When the eggs are hatched, the parents brood the chicks immediately. The chicks are precocial and able to find their own food. Young may be led to nearby water areas to feed. When the chicks are about 3 days old, males and females continue to switch off attending the nest but the non-attending adult flies further away. Females abandon their mates and nests 15 days after the eggs have hatched and leave the males as the sole guardians of the brood. As the chicks get older, the adults spend greater amounts of time foraging, and males often leave the nest unattended in order to pursue invading species. The young fledge about 22 to 30 days after they hatch, but the father generally departs before this stage. Juveniles usually flock together before they migrate during the fall.

Parental Investment: precocial ; male parental care ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Protecting: Male)

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Chang, E. 2011. "Charadrius semipalmatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Charadrius_semipalmatus.html
author
Elaine Chang, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Phil Myers, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
editor
Rachelle Sterling, Special Projects
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Charadrius semipalmatus

provided by DC Birds Brief Summaries

The stereotypical winter plover in many coastal regions of the southern United States, the Semipalmated Plover is most easily identified by its small size (6 ½ to 7 ½ inches), yellow eye-ring, and thin bill. In summer, this species has a broad black collar, black-tipped orange bill, black face mask, and white forehead. In winter, this species loses much of the black on its upper body and becomes duller brown overall. Males and females are similar to one another in all seasons. The Semipalmated Plover breeds across northern Canada and Alaska. This species migrates south in winter, when it may be found on the coast of California and in the coastal southeastern U.S. Semipalmated Plovers also winter in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the West Indies. Semipalmated Plovers breed on rocky or gravelly beaches, as well on dry tundra further inland. On migration or in winter, this species may be found on sandy beaches, mudflats, riverbanks, and in salt marshes. The Semipalmated Sandpiper primarily eats insects, insect larvae, and other small invertebrates. Semipalmated Plovers are most easily observed along the water’s edge, probing the mud for food with their bills. They may also be seen in small flocks flying above the surf, frequently mingling with other species of waders. This species is most active during the day.

Threat Status: Least Concern

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
Smithsonian Institution
author
Reid Rumelt

Charadrius semipalmatus

provided by EOL authors

The stereotypical winter plover in many coastal regions of the southern United States, the Semipalmated Plover is most easily identified by its small size (6 ½ to 7 ½ inches), yellow eye-ring, and thin bill. In summer, this species has a broad black collar, black-tipped orange bill, black face mask, and white forehead. In winter, this species loses much of the black on its upper body and becomes duller brown overall. Males and females are similar to one another in all seasons. The Semipalmated Plover breeds across northern Canada and Alaska. This species migrates south in winter, when it may be found on the coast of California and in the coastal southeastern U.S. Semipalmated Plovers also winter in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the West Indies. Semipalmated Plovers breed on rocky or gravelly beaches, as well on dry tundra further inland. On migration or in winter, this species may be found on sandy beaches, mudflats, riverbanks, and in salt marshes. The Semipalmated Sandpiper primarily eats insects, insect larvae, and other small invertebrates. Semipalmated Plovers are most easily observed along the water’s edge, probing the mud for food with their bills. They may also be seen in small flocks flying above the surf, frequently mingling with other species of waders. This species is most active during the day.

References

  • Charadrius semipalmatus. Xeno-canto. Xeno-canto Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 July 2012.
  • Nol, Erica and Michele S. Blanken. 1999. Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/444
  • Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). The Internet Bird Collection. Lynx Edicions, n.d. Web. 20 July 2012.
  • eBird Range Map - Semipalmated Plover. eBird. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, N.d. Web. 20 July 2012.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-4.0
copyright
Smithsonian Institution
bibliographic citation
Rumelt, Reid B. Charadrius semipalmatus. June-July 2012. Brief natural history summary of Charadrius semipalmatus. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
author
Robert Costello (kearins)
original
visit source
partner site
EOL authors

Semipalmated plover

provided by wikipedia EN

The semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 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 (kharadra, "ravine"). 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.[2]

Description

This species weighs 22–63 g (0.78–2.22 oz) and measures 14–20 cm (5.5–7.9 in) in length and 35–56 cm (14–22 in) across the wings.[3] 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.

Vocalization

Habitat

Their breeding habitat is open ground on beaches or flats across northern Canada and Alaska. They nest on the ground in an open area with little or no plant growth.

They are migratory and winter in coastal areas of the southern United States, the Caribbean and much of South America. They are extremely rare vagrants to western Europe, and have been found in Tierra del Fuego and the Isles of Scilly.[4] Their true status may be obscured by the difficulty in identifying them from the very similar ringed plover of Eurasia, of which it was formerly considered a subspecies.

Behavior

Semipalmated plovers forage for food on beaches, tidal flats and fields, usually by sight. They eat insects (such as the larvae of long-legged and beach flies, larvae of soldier flies and shore flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers and Ochtebius beetles), spiders,[5] crustaceans (such as isopods, decapods and copepods)[6] and worms (such as polychaetes).[7] They also consume small molluscs including bivalves and gastropods, including snails such as coffee bean snails and Odostomia laevigata.[8] These opportunistic feeders also feed on berries or seeds from grasslands or cultivated fields.[9] This bird resembles the killdeer but is much smaller and has only one band.[10] Since the semipalmated plover nests on the ground, it uses a "broken-wing" display to lure intruders away from the nest, in a display similar to the related killdeer.[11]

Gallery

References

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Charadrius semipalmatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.old-form url
  2. ^ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 99, 353. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  3. ^ CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses by John B. Dunning Jr. (Editor). CRC Press (1992), ISBN 978-0-8493-4258-5.
  4. ^ Coomber, Richard (1991). "Charadriiformes: Plovers". Birds of the World. Godalming, Surrey: Colour Library Books Ltd. pp. 97–100. ISBN 0862838061.
  5. ^ "Charadrius semipalmatus (Semipalmated plover)". Animal Diversity Web.
  6. ^ "Charadrius semipalmatus (Semipalmated plover)". Animal Diversity Web.
  7. ^ "Charadrius semipalmatus (Semipalmated plover)". Animal Diversity Web.
  8. ^ "Charadrius semipalmatus (Semipalmated plover)". Animal Diversity Web.
  9. ^ "Charadrius semipalmatus (Semipalmated plover)". Animal Diversity Web.
  10. ^ Kaufman, Kenn. (2000) Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America. New York: Houghton-Mifflin.
  11. ^ University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Charadrius_semipalmatus/

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Semipalmated plover: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

The semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 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 (kharadra, "ravine"). 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.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Distribution

provided by World Register of Marine Species
North America; Northern Labrador to southern Nova Scotia in the summer

Reference

North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)

license
cc-by-4.0
copyright
WoRMS Editorial Board
contributor
Kennedy, Mary [email]