Anarhynchus nivosus
The Snowy Plover (*Anarhynchus nivosus*), a charismatic and diminutive shorebird, is easily identified by its pale, sandy-white plumage, often blending seamlessly with its open, sandy habitats. Measuring approximately 15-17 cm (6-7 inches) in length with a wingspan of 35-45 cm (14-18 inches) and weighing 35-55 grams (1.2-1.9 oz), its most distinctive field marks include a short, dark bill, dark legs, a prominent dark patch on the side of the breast, and dark ear coverts. Recently reclassified...
This specialized shorebird primarily inhabits open, sandy beaches, coastal dunes, and expansive tidal flats, as well as inland alkali flats and salt pans. It is typically found at or near sea level, though some inland populations exist at higher elevations.
Snowy Plovers feed almost exclusively on small terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, including insects (especially beetles, flies, and their larvae), small crustaceans, and marine worms. They primarily forage by visually spotting prey on the surface while running and stopping.
Snowy Plovers are diurnal and highly active during the day, roosting inconspicuously on open ground at night, often near water. Their characteristic foraging strategy, the "run-stop-peck," involves short bursts of running followed by sudden stops to visually scan and pluck small invertebrates fro...
The Snowy Plover exhibits a broad yet fragmented distribution across the Americas, encompassing both coastal and inland saline habitats. Its breeding range extends along the Pacific Coast from Washington south through California and Baja California, eastward across the interior saline wetlands an...
Least Concern
- The Snowy Plover is one of the smallest plover species in North America, making it a tiny sentinel of its coastal and inland habitats. - Females of this species are famous for their "serial polyandry," often laying multiple clutches with different males in a single breeding season. - Despite th...