Since that first encounter I’ve been determined to observe and photograph this bird in its very distinctive black and white breeding plumage. Non-breeding condition plumage is rather dull and includes diffused streaks to the upper breast, whitish under-parts and white-edged dark-centered brownish feathers on the back.
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Species: Pluvialis squatarola
The Black-bellied Plover is the largest and most common of the three North American plovers. Its preference for open feeding habitats (lower coastal intertidal zones) its bulky structure, and very upright stance make it a fairly conspicuous species. They can generally be observed wadding in shallow water but usually do most of their foraging in exposed muddy substrates within the lower to mid intertidal zones.
Feeding: Primarily forages along coasts in typical plover style: run, pause, and pluck; feeds on insects, worms, bivalves and crustaceans.
Occurrence: Breeds in High Arctic habitats from western Russia across the Bearing Sea to Alaska, and east to Baffin Island. Winters primarily in coastal areas from southern Canada and US, south to southern South America. Found inland during migration. Migrates south all the way to South America.
(Taken from Birds of Canada-David M Bird, Ph.D. First Edition 2010)
NOTE: Click here for a link to an excellent short audio about Black-bellied Plovers with recordings of the birds vocalizing.