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Grey Plover | Pluvialis squatarola
The Grey Plover is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Charadriidae bird family group which includes birds such as Plovers, Lapwings. The description for the Grey Plover (Latin name Pluvialis squatarola) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Pluvialis squatarola can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 254 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 395. You will find a picture of the Grey Plover on page 384. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Grey Plover between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Grey Plover has a height of 27 cms and weighs around 230 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured black. The Pluvialis squatarola has a black, white coloured throat, black legs and a black, brown coloured back. The eyes are brown. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is brown Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are black Throat is black, white Back is black, brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water. This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...You can see the Grey Plover bird on coastal regions and on the sea shore where the bird will be foraging with other birds Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...The Grey Plover is mainly seen singly or in pairs in the wild. |
