Scientific Name: Pluvialis squatarola
Malay Name: Kerinyut Kelabu
Chinese Name: 灰斑鸻
Alternative Name(s): Black-bellied Plover
Range: Found from the Arctic Islands and along the north coasts of Russia, Canada to Alaska and winter to coastal habitats of both the Old and New World.
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: squatarola, tomkovichi, cynosurae.
Local Subspecies: squatarola
Size: 27-30 cm
Identification: In non-breeding plumage, look similar to Pacific Golden Plover but larger, stockier and bigger-headed with stouter bill and relatively shorter legs, upperside more uniform and distinctly greyish. In flight, display prominent black auxiliaries (armpits) at underwing. In breeding plumage, face and underparts all black except vent which is white, with very broad white band extending from lore to behind ear-coverts and down the breast-sides.
Similar looking species: Pacific Golden Plover
Habitat: Mudflat, sandflat and beaches.
Behaviour/Ecology: Form small flocks with birds widely spaced apart unlike Pacific Golden Plovers which usually form large and rather "dense" flocks.
Local Status: Uncommon migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)
Location: Changi Cove, Changi Beach, Pulau Ubin (Chek Jawa and Sekudu Rocks) and Pulau Tekong.
Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Black-bellied Plover)
References:
BirdLife International. (2019). Pluvialis squatarola. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22693749A154513104.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Grey Plover. Retrieved on April 19, 2024 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/grey-plover.