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Greater Sand Plovers are relatively small waders. Their plumage changes between breeding season and non-breeding season. During the breeding season the face is mostly black (forehead except small white spots, sides), with a greyish-brown cap and a white throat. The wide chestnut breast band extends to the nape of the neck. The belly and vent are white. The upperparts (mantle, tail and upperwings) are brownish-grey, with light-grey edge lining of the wing feathers. In eclipse the upperparts remain unchanged, except for the chestnut tint at the nape of the neck, which disappears with the breast band. At the front, a slate-grey side breast band remains instead of chestnut-brown. The bill is black; the legs and feet are greyish-yellow.

Twitcher's tip

Compared to other small species of plovers, the Greater Sand Plover has only one chestnut breast band in breeding plumage and NO black band.

The correct identification of waders ("shorebirds"), e.g. of the Calidris, Tringa, Actitis and related families or of the Charadrius, Pluvialis and related genera in the field can be quite tricky. We have therefore made an attempt to give some advice HERE.

The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org .

The global distribution of the Greater Sand Plover is available HERE .

There are 3 races of Greater Sand Plovers, which are a strongly migratory species. Nominate race "leschenaultii" breeds in eastern Asia, usually in semi-desert country and steppe. They winter in South-east Asia and Australia. The range of race "scythicus" is currently unknown to us. Race "columbinus" breeds in parts of Asia Minor and the Middle East and farther to the East, into central Asia. They winter in East Africa and Arabia.

In Arabia only race "columbinus" is found, both as winter visitors and on passage between winter quarters in Africa and breeding grounds in Asia. Wintering birds are usually found on the near-coastal fringe, but migrants may also stay near water inland.

Along the coastline, they can be found in various types of aquatic habitat, including e.g. beaches and mudflats, in particular in estuaries.

Race "columbinus"

Race "leschenaultii"