Wilson’s Plover is a small and adorable bird that can be spotted on some of the sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast. This cute little bird is about 6-7 inches long, with a dark gray/brown upper body, white underparts, and an orange bill.
Where To Find This Bird:
Wilson’s Plover can be found in several coastal states along the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida. They are relatively easy to spot during their breeding season between April and August when they nest on sandy beaches with limited vegetation.
Habitat:
These birds prefer sandy beach habitats near tidal flats where they forage for food. The Wilson’s Plovers’ nests are usually shallow scrapes in the sand close to dune vegetation or driftwood debris on the beach itself.
Food:
The Wilson’s Plover feeds mainly on insects such as flies, beetles, ants, spiders, crabs and other crustaceans that it finds while moving through its habitat. They have also been known to feed on small fish and mollusks when available.
Cool Facts:
Did you know that female Wilson’s plovers will lay up to three eggs at once? Additionally, both male and female parent birds help incubate those eggs until hatching takes place around twenty-six days later! Another cool fact about this bird is that it has special salt excreting glands just above its eyes which allows them to drink seawater without becoming dehydrated!
In conclusion,
The Wilson’s Plover may not be very well-known but it certainly has earned its place among our most interesting coastal creatures! With unique physical adaptations that allow them to survive in harsh environments like coastal sand dunes while raising young chicks successfully – this tiny species deserves more attention than we often give it!
