A Look into the Endangered Shorebird, the Piping Plover
hese small and dwindling shorebirds have been the brunt of some controversial beach closings and laws. However, the Piping Plover still remains endangered, and thanks to these laws, has made a little bit of a comeback.
Piping Plover Picture by Len Blumin.
What do Piping Plovers Look Like?
How to spot these rare birds!
Piping plovers are usually only about 7 inches long and area sandy-gray colored plumage, with white underparts. Breeding birds typically have a single black breastband and black bar on the forehead. The legs are a bright orange. It camouflages nicely with the sand to help evade predators. Colors fade in the winter months.
More Endangered Species...
- Black Rhinos
- Adult Black Rhinos weigh a ton...literally. Breaking the scales at a whopping 1760 pounds minimum and typically ranging up to near 4000 pounds, this animal weighs more than some small trucks!
- Key Deer
- The Florida Key Deer in one word is tiny. It's the size of a medium-sized dog, confined to a small area of the Florida Keys, and numbers in only about 700-800. These numbers make it an endangered species.
- Loggerhead Turtles
- Most Loggerheaded Turtle nesting areas in the U.S. are located right in Florida, an estimated 90% or so to be exact.
- Kiwis
- Yes, all kiwis are endangered and in decline. The Okarito Brown Kiwi is critically endangered with an estimated 250 birds left
Where do Piping Plovers Live?
Find out where you can see these beautiful birds!
Piping Plovers prefer nesting in small, sparsely vegetated, sandy, low-lying dunescapes. After arriving between March and May, the plovers will remain for 3-4 months to nest. Short, shallow depressions in the rocky sand are the perfect camouflage for the rock-colored eggs. Eggs are incubated for 30 days by both parents. After incubation, the new plover chicks are fed by the parents for a month until they are flight-ready. The birds then migrate for the wintering grounds between July and October.
What do they Eat?
Plovers eat worms, insects and small crustaceans in the soft, wet sand. As you can see in the video below, the birds will run for the newly wet sand to find food. They run in spurts, stopping short all the time, making it difficult for predators and humans to spot them.
Piping Plover Poll
Beaches Closed for Plovers
Controversy over beach closures for these endangered birds
There have been several beaches and areas closed for the conservation of the Piping Plover species. Beaches in Rhode Island and Massachusetts have been completely closed at times to save the rare bird. This is a controversial move, often met with plenty of critique and praise at the same time. However, since the Piping Plover was declared threatened in 1986 and conservation tactics have been implemented, the numbers have increased in some areas.
How can you help to save Piping Plovers?
Preservation of popular, known nesting sites, obeying posted signs and fencing around plover nests, and following restrictions on loose, roaming pets (one of the Piping Plover's predators) will ensure their ability to reproduce. Spreading the word through public education is necessary to continue these efforts. Follow the links below to find out more about the Piping Plover and what you can do to help.
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Piping Plover Links
- Audubon Watchlist
- Audubon's Important Bird Area program helps to identify areas that are crucial for bird species, and can be an effective tool for the conservation of Piping Plovers and other species.
- Piping Plover Bird Calls!
- Listen to Piping Plover bird calls and learn more about the endangered shorebird here.
- What Can I Do to Help Prevent the Extinction of Species?
- Learn, join, protect and volunteer throught this webpage for Piping Plovers.
Piping Plover Fact...
The Audubon site states there are only approximately 6400 Piping Plover left in North America.
Thanks for Reading!
Seen a Piping Plover lately? Have some thoughts about this lens? Be sure to leave them here!
naturegirl7 wrote...
Another interesting and informative lens from a great lensmaster. Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it.
Posted January 10, 2009
K_Linda wrote...
I adore those little birds. I have photographed them many times...they are so adorable. I didn't know until now that they are endangered. I've seen lots of them on Cocoa Beach, FL. Great lens. I'm lensrolling it and, of course, 5*'s.
Posted June 24, 2008
titanium_knights wrote...
First time I have heard of this bird - that is what I love about squidoo - you learn something new every day!
Thanks!
Posted May 28, 2008
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
Great Lens! The Piping Plover is a pretty little bird. I've looked for one among the shorebirds here in SC but I've never spotted one.
5 Stars and lensroll
Liz
Posted May 05, 2008
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
The Bluebird of Happiness loved your lens so much that she is sending you a virtual Heart Shaped Waffle and a cup of coffee to hang on your wall.
We used to watch the Piping Plovers on Plum Island in Mass.
Posted March 26, 2008
Karendelac wrote...
Great lens. 5 Stars. I would like to thank you for visiting my bird rescue lens. Great info on these beautiful birds.
Please visit and rate my titanic lens wich won lens of the year
http://www.squidoo.com/Harland-and-Wolffs-Titanic
Posted March 09, 2008
EvieJewelry wrote...
Great lens. We have controversy every year about beach closings for the piping plovers on Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks NC. Drive on the beach or save an endangered species ? Wouldn't seem to have to be much of a controversy now would it ? Keep up the good work.
Posted February 15, 2008
Classic wrote...
Hi Kiwi! I gave you 5*s! I enjoyed reviewing your lens. Thanks for submitting this to my group Nature and Environment! Classic
Posted February 12, 2008
Scarboroughseashells wrote...
Another terrific lens close to my heart! I love sea creatures and being a born and raised RI'r, I know first hand just how special these tiny little guys are! Thanks. :)
Posted February 03, 2008
clouda9 wrote...
I did not know about this bird until I read this lens. Great information! While living in Gulfport, MS...many moons ago :) there were protected sites along the beaches for Tern's. I see from a Google search that they are still on the list.
Posted February 03, 2008
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