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9

European Golden Plover

(Pluvialis apricaria)
Alternate name(s): "Eurasian Golden Plover", "Golden Plover*"
German name(s): "Goldregenpfeifer"

Size: 26-29 cm; wing span 67-76 cm
Weight: 140-310 g

Similar
species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See European Golden Plover at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

ADULT

Sex unknown

NON-BREEDING

Full-frontal view of a European Golden Plover in non-breeding plumage; note the streaking down the front of the neck and the chest (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Coruche, Santarem, Portugal, February 2021]

Near-frontal view of a European Golden Plover in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Coruche, Santarem, Portugal, January 2019]

Lateral view of a European Golden Plover in non-breeding plumage; note the small bill (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Coruche, Santarem, Portugal, February 2018]

Lateral view of a European Golden Plover in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Figueira da Foz, near Coimbra, Portugal, February 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a European Golden Plover in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Coruche, Santarem, Portugal, February 2018]

Dorsal view of European Golden Plovers in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Figueira da Foz, near Coimbra, Portugal, February 2019]

Lateral view of a European Golden Plover in non-breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, November 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a European Golden Plover in non-breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Alcaria Ruiva, Beja, Alentejo, Portugal, February 2023]

Small flock of European Golden Plovers in non-breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil Dam, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, January 2015]

Behaviour

Especially during migration, but also while overwintering, European Golden Plovers can form large flocks. As the birds weave on the sky in unison, changing direction, such flocks can alternately show the golden upperparts and the off-white underparts of the birds.

Flock of European Golden Plovers in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, November 2021]

Resting European Golden Plovers in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mondego river estuary, Murraceira island, Figueira da Foz, Portugal, February 2021]

European Golden Plovers in non-breeding plumage resting in grassland (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sao Marcos da Ataboeira, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, February 2023]

Flock of European Golden Plovers in non-breeding plumage in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, January 2016]

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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