Black-bellied Plover

Pluvialis squatarola

First view, Boca Chica Beach, Texas, 22 August 2008.

Another view, Boca Chica Beach, Texas, 22 August 2008.

Another view, 700 S & 100 E, Montgomery County, Indiana, 23 May 2006.

Another view, Garden Key, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, 15 April 2013.

Another view, break wall, Lower Harbor, Marquette, Michigan, 14 September 2013; here is another shot of this bird showing its unique wing and underwing plumage.

Another view, juvenile, break wall, Lower Harbor, Marquette, Michigan, 14 September 2011.

Another view, in flight, break wall, Lower Harbor, Marquette, Michigan, 25 September 2011.

There follows three shots highlighting the differences between American Golden Plover and Black-bellied Plover in basic plumage. These birds were part of a group of eight plovers at the mouth of the Dean River in Marquette, Michigan, 18 October 2016. The first photo shows two plovers—Black-bellied on the left, American Golden on the right—standing next to each other. Note the obvious difference in size, as well as the Black-bellied’s grayer plumage, heavier bill, and streaked (rather than barred) underparts. The second photo shows three plovers in flight—two Black-bellieds and one American Golden. Note again the obvious difference in size. Compare the Black-bellieds’ white rumps with the American Golden’s dark rump. Note also the obvious difference in wing pattern. The third photo shows five plovers landing—four Black-bellieds, one American Golden. Note again, the features mentioned above, especially the obvious difference in rump colors.