8/14/2010

Seeing Semipalmated Plovers at the Seashore

plover pocasset july 2010
Here's a familiar shorebird friend, the Semipalmated Plover. Semipalmated Plovers are so named because of their partially webbed feet (semi = partly, palmate = webbed). Unfortunately , that's a feature you cannot see here because his feet are in the mud!

plover II  pocasset july 2010
There are a lot of similar looking plovers in the world, but if you see one like this around here, chances are it's a semipalmated. Semipalmated plovers gave have a single, dark neck band in all plumages.

plover III  pocasset july 2010
In breeding plumage the bill is distinctly black-tipped and orange-based, and a white dot is visible behind and above each eye.

plover IV  pocasset july 2010
In breeding plumage, the white forehead is surrounded by black. In non-breeding plumage, both the band and the head are brown instead of black, and the bill is more black than orange.

5 comments:

  1. A rare migrant visitor over here so I'm delighted to see one up close. FAB.

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  2. Nice shots of the SP, particularly the second one!

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  3. wonderful post and very nice photos.

    dan

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  4. Howdee Susan,
    Looking forward to meeting you next Saturday at the Birding outing BwBTC in Charleston RI.
    I want to exchange phone numbers, so that we can contact each other if need be.
    Could you please email your number..I will email back.
    Nobbiecat@gmail.com
    Thanks
    Dawn Fine

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  5. Great photos Susan!

    Looking forward to meeting you soon.
    Please send your phone number for contact purposes for Saturdays outing.
    My email address is
    Nobbiecat@gmail.com
    I will email my number to you as well.
    I should have a blog post up soon with more details about meeting place and time.

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