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Greater Sand Plover
(Charadrius leschenaultii)
: "Large Sand Plover", "Large-billed Dotterel", "Large Sand-dotterel"
Size: 19-25 cm; wing span 53-60 cm
Weight: 65-100 g
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
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.
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Twitcher's tip |
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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.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Greater
Sand Plover at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
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
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The global distribution of the Greater Sand Plover is available
HERE
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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.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
Race "columbinus"
Greater Sand Plovers, race
"columbinus",
were first spotted by us at Al Qurm Natural Park near Muscat, Oman,
in December 2009. At the time, all birds seen were in
non-breeding
plumage.
The species was spotted again at Ras Al-Hadd, near the eastern tip
of Oman, in May 2010. Here birds were found in nearly complete
breeding
plumage.
Race "leschenaultii"
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Photos |
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Race "columbinus"
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ADULT |
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BREEDING |
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Frontal view of a male Greater Sand Plover in almost complete
breeding plumage;
the breast band of race "columbinus", shown here, is
much wider than that of race
"leschenaultii"
[Ras Al-Hadd, May 2010]
Here seen from the right...
[Ras Al-Hadd, May 2010]
... and now from the left
[Ras Al-Hadd, May 2010]
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NON-BREEDING |
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Frontal view of a Greater Sand Plover in non-breeding
plumage
[Al Qurm Natural Park, December 2009]
Near-lateral view of Greater Sand Plovers in non-breeding
plumage
[Al Qurm Natural Park, December 2009]
Near-dorsal view of a Greater Sand Plover in non-breeding
plumage
[Al Qurm Natural Park, December 2009]
Race "leschenaultii"
We have taken photos of Greater Sand Plovers, race
"leschenaultii",
in Australia.
| Social behaviour: Communal |
Mobility: Migratory |
Elementary unit: Flock |
Greater Sand Plovers are often found together with
Lesser Sand Plovers.
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.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
Call/s
