Semipalmated Plover

A common Plover that migrates from Canada and Alaska to both the Atlantic and Pacific shorelines and mudflats during our winter months is the Semipalmated Plover.

Small at 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches (17-29 cm) in length and only 1.7 oz (47 g) in weight, this stocky little Plover forages tidal mudflats and salt marshes in search of insects, crustaceans, and worms.

After foraging the area close to me, this Semipalmated Plover flew over the channel to a different spot and immediately into a squabble with a Killdeer who loudly made it known “this is my area, not yours”.

Semipalmated Plover (left), Killdeer (right)

The Killdeer ran at, then flew to attack the Semipalmated Plover, forcing him to take flight, and then my little Plover was gone.

Tags: birding, birdwatching, foraging, mudflats, Murrells Inlet, nature, photo, photographs, photography, photos, wildlife

28 thoughts on “Semipalmated Plover”

montucky on 01/24/2018 at 9:04 PM said:

That’s a very big name for such a gorgeous little bird!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/24/2018 at 10:04 PM said:
  
  It sure is! 🙂
  
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avian101 on 01/24/2018 at 9:06 PM said:

Very nice captures Donna! 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/24/2018 at 10:04 PM said:
  
  Thank you, HJ! 🙂
  
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sunnydaysinseattle on 01/24/2018 at 9:23 PM said:

Awww. He is so cute. And kinda wished the killdeers are the ones leaving 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/24/2018 at 10:05 PM said:
  
  Thanks, he is a cutie! 🙂
  
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circadianreflections on 01/24/2018 at 11:59 PM said:

A Reverse Kildeer! It’s sooooo cute! I’ve never seen one, but they’re been reported now and then as being seen. I’ll have to make an effort to get out to see one or two when they’re reported.

Lovely images Donna! Thanks for showing me what I’ve been missing. xx

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/25/2018 at 7:50 AM said:
  
  Thanks Deborah! We oblige each other with captures of birds we’ve not seen. 🙂 It is so great!!
  
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aussiebirder on 01/25/2018 at 3:15 AM said:

Another lovely little plover I am not acquainted with. Thanks Donna, it is always great to see new birds. Love the way you caught the light on the birds profile.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/25/2018 at 11:29 AM said:
  
  Thanks Ashley! This was my first chance to see one foraging on madflats. I saw a small flock of them once foraging an open area at a campground of all places, lol.
  
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spugwash on 01/25/2018 at 5:23 AM said:

Cracking shots

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/25/2018 at 11:24 AM said:
  
  Thanks! 🙂
  
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denisebushphoto on 01/25/2018 at 10:25 AM said:

Great captures and a cute little bird too!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/25/2018 at 11:17 AM said:
  
  Thank you Denise!
  
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Shannon on 01/25/2018 at 11:32 AM said:

I feel fortunate, Donna, that this bird is on my annual count list without fail, as is the killdeer. Aren’t you along the coast? In his wintering range? Or maybe you’re a little north of that?

Great snaps of a sweet little birdie. If you’re ever in Texas, Bolivar Flats is a great one-stop plover shop!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/26/2018 at 7:26 AM said:
  
  Thanks Shannon, yes I’m along the SC coastline right now. I just checked out the Texas Bolivar Flats and it looks like a nice peninsula, perfect for birding! I’d love to visit the whole coastline of Texas. We were supposed to be in Port Aransas two winters ago but unfortunately had to cancel. I am still quite bummed missing that trip!!
  
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  - Shannon on 01/26/2018 at 7:52 AM said:
    
    For birding, few places can beat Bolivar / Galveston / High Island / Quintana during the month of April. It’s easy to see 100+ species in the course of a day and not drive that much! Hope you get to come back.
    
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    - bayphotosbydonna on 01/26/2018 at 8:09 AM said:
      
      Back on our bucket list! 🙂
      
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Susan Hale on 01/25/2018 at 12:13 PM said:

These are beautiful pictures, Donna. So sharp and detailed! I love these little shorebirds. The last time I saw a large bunch was on a trip to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and we saw them on their migratory flight.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/26/2018 at 7:28 AM said:
  
  Thank you Susan! This little fella was just below me off a fishing pier, I couldn’t have been much closer, it was awesome! A flock in flight would be nice to see!
  
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belindagroverphotography on 01/25/2018 at 12:46 PM said:

Nice photos of this sweet little bird!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/26/2018 at 7:28 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Belinda, he is a cutie!
  
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tootlepedal on 01/25/2018 at 4:00 PM said:

Just to satisfy my curiosity, is there a fully palmated plover?

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/26/2018 at 7:37 AM said:
  
  No….and why not? 😉
  
  Actually there are several wading birds with “semipalmated” included in their name which identifies that they have toes webbed part of their length. Interesting, I didn’t know that!
  
  Thanks for the question, Tom, it was a good one! 🙂
  
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Gunta on 01/26/2018 at 12:34 AM said:

Can’t wait for your answer to tootlepedal! These are wonderful shots of this cute little plover. I find these little guys so hard to catch (with the camera, of course!) My best effort came as a surprise as we happened across a bunch of snowies snuggled into some horse hoof prints in the sand: https://gusgus64.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/a-beach-stroll-with-a-surprise/

Pity the killdeer was such a bully. You’d think there would be enough at the mud flats for a tiny little plover.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/26/2018 at 7:48 AM said:
  
  Thanks Gunta! Yea, that Killdeer was a ‘killjoy”. 😉
  
  OMGosh, I LOVE your captures of the little Snowy Plovers, how adorable and what a sighting to bestow. They sure do look like they were tucked in for the night! 🙂
  
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Sue on 01/27/2018 at 7:05 PM said:

What an adorable little bird! Fantastic photos too!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 01/28/2018 at 5:31 PM said:
  
  Thanks Sue, he is down right adorable! 🙂
  
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