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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Shorebirds and Allies (Order Charadriiformes)

-Plovers and Lapwings (Family Charadriidae)

-Holarctic Ringed Plovers and Allies (Genus Charadrius)

-Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)


The Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) is a small shorebird commonly found across North and South America, particularly along coastal habitats, mudflats, and sandy shores. Foraging Style: Uses a "run-and-pause" technique to catch prey. Diet: Includes insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and marine worms.

Semi-palmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

Diet

  • Primarily small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, including insects, insect larvae, marine worms, small crustaceans, molluscs, and spiders.

  • Occasionally eats small seeds and other plant material.

  • Forages by running short distances, stopping to pick prey from the surface of mud, sand, or shallow water.

Range

  • Breeds across Alaska, Canada, and the Arctic of North America.

  • Winters along the Pacific, Gulf, and Atlantic coasts from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America.

  • A common winter visitor and migrant in the Zihuatanejo region, where it occurs on sandy beaches, mudflats, estuaries, coastal lagoons, and tidal flats.

Male / Female

  • Male: During the breeding season, shows a broader and darker black breast band and facial markings, with brighter orange legs and bill base.

  • Female: Similar in appearance but with slightly narrower, browner breast and facial bands.

  • Non-breeding season: Both sexes appear nearly identical, with brown upperparts and a reduced breast band, making them difficult to distinguish in the field.

Size

  • Length: 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in)

  • Wingspan: 43–48 cm (17–19 in)

  • Weight: 35–63 g

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