Plovers

Charadriidae

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A Field Guide to Eastern Birds. by Roger Tory Peterson.

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Plovers are small to medium sized shorebirds resembling some of the sandpipers of the family Scolopacidae. However the plover bill is short and slightly swollen close to the tip. Most plovers are seen near the seashore and are commonly observed running along the sand or mud, suddenly stopping and probing for food in the sand or mud. Most species have brown backs and white undersides. There are approximately 60 species of the family worldwide. Nine species breed in North America, seven of which are found in eastern North America.

Black-bellied Plover

Pluvialis squatarola

Snowy Plover

Charadrius alexandrinus

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

Wilson's Plover

Charadrius wilsonia