Pacific Golden Plover

Scientific Name: Pluvialis fulva
Malay Name: Kerinyut Biasa
Chinese Name: 金斑鸻

Range:
Found from North Palearctic to Alaska and winter to South Asia, East Africa, Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 23-26 cm

Identification:
In non-breeding plumage, can be confused with Grey Plover but is smaller, more golden overall and has shorter/thiner bill. In flight, underwings are drab, pale, brown and lack the black auxiliaries (armpits) present in Grey Plover. In breeding plumage, face and underparts all black with a broad white band that extends from the lore to behind the ear-coverts and down the breast-sides.

Similar looking species: Grey Plover

Habitat: Mudflat, open fields and other coastal habitats.

Behaviour/Ecology: Gregarious. Usually form large flocks in wintering grounds.

Local Status: Common winter visitor.

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)

Location: Sungei Buloh, Mandai Mudflat, Seletar Mudflat, Punggol Barat, Pasir Ris Farmway 3, Neo Tiew, Tuas South, Lorong Halus and Chek Jawa.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Pacific Golden Plover at Seletar. Photo credit: Con Foley

Pacific Golden Plover at Seletar. Photo credit: Con Foley

Pacific Golden Plovers at Seletar. Photo credit: Con Foley

Pacific Golden Plover at Seletar Dam. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Pacific Golden Plover at Lorong Halus. Photo credit: Francis Yap