Species BirdsSemipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

CommonBird
Illustration of Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)

The Semipalmated Plover is a small plover with a single black breast band and orange-yellow bill base — like a miniature Killdeer. It is named for the partial webbing between its toes. It is one of the most commonly encountered shorebirds at mudflats during migration, running in the classic plover stop-and-tilt foraging style.

Habitat
Mudflats, beaches, and lake shores during migration
Diet
Marine worms, small invertebrates, and insects
How common
Common

Recent Semipalmated Plover sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Semipalmated Plover? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More birds

Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
American Avocet
American Avocet
Recurvirostra americana
American Bittern
American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
American Black Duck
American Black Duck
Anas rubripes
American Coot
American Coot
Fulica americana
American Crow
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
American Flamingo
American Flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber
American Golden-Plover
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominica