Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarola

Genus · Golden Plovers and Grey Plover Family · Plovers and Lapwings
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
♾️ Any
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Muddy marginsShorelines

Look for the black 'armpit' when the bird takes flight. Listen for its mournful, three-note whistling call: 'tee-oo-ee'.

Grey Plover

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan70–83 cm
Weight170–320 g
Length27–31 cm
Lifespan wild5–18 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeScrape
Clutch size3–4 eggs
Incubation23–27 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Carnivore

🦀Crustaceans
🦗Insects
🐚Mollusks

Habitat

🌊 Marine🏞️ River❄️ Tundra
✦ Fun Fact

Grey Plovers are very site-faithful. An individual may return to the exact same square kilometre of a European estuary every winter for its entire life.

About

A chunky, medium-sized wader of coastal mudflats and shores. In summer, the male has a jet-black face and belly with a spangled silver-grey back. In winter, they are much paler and uniform grey. It breeds in the High Arctic and visits European coasts for the winter.

Behaviour

Grey Plovers are wary and often stand motionless while watching for prey. They make short, quick runs to snatch worms or crabs. In flight, they reveal jet-black patches under their wings. These patches contrast sharply with the white feathers of the underwing.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

In breeding plumage, the male has a more solid and intense black belly than the female. In winter, the sexes are nearly identical.

♀ Female

In summer, her black underparts are often mottled with white or brown. She looks less 'clean' than the breeding male.

Similar species

Red Knot
🐦
Red Knot
Calidris canutus
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