Common Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticula

Family: Plovers and Lapwings · Status: Vagrant · Size: 18–20 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Breeds in Arctic Russia, Scandinavia, Greenland, and northeastern Canada, wintering mainly in Africa and the Middle East.

Identification

Non-breeding adult resembles Little Ringed Plover but is slightly larger and more robust, with a stubbier bill, no yellow eyering, brighter orange legs and feet, and a prominent white wingbar in flight. Breeding adults have an orange bill with black tip, orange legs, and no yellow eyering; breeding female has brown-tinged sides to the breast-band and ear-coverts. Juvenile resembles non-breeding adult with buff fringing to wings.

Habitat

Fringes of freshwater ponds, coastal sandflats, and mudflats.