Snowy Plover

Arenaria melanocephala

The Snowy Plover (Arenaria melanocephala) is a small shorebird with a pale brown upper body and a white underside. It is characterized by a black patch on its forehead, which gives it a distinctive appearance. Snowy Plovers are found along coastal beaches, salt flats, and alkali flats. They are known for their distinctive run-stop-forage behavior as they search for small invertebrates in the sand. These birds are often seen in small flocks or pairs, and are known for their camouflaged nests in sandy areas. Snowy Plovers are facing threats from habitat loss, disturbance, and predation, leading to their conservation status being listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

Habitat: Coastal beaches, salt flats, alkali flats