Pacific Golden Plover

The Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva, is a medium-sized shorebird with a remarkable migratory pattern. Adults measure approximately 25 cm (9.8 in) in length and boast a wingspan of around 61 cm (24 in). The weight of these birds can vary, with a fat-free individual weighing about 135 g (4.8 oz), but prior to embarking on their arduous journey to the Arctic breeding grounds, they can weigh in at about 198 g (7 oz).

Identification Tips

In their splendid breeding plumage, males display a mosaic of gold and black across the crown, back, and wings, with a starkly contrasting black face and neck bordered by white. Their breast is black, and the rump is dark, while the bill and legs range from gray to black. Females are similar but with a mottled black breast that is less distinct. During the nonbreeding season, both sexes adopt a more subdued appearance with dark brown, gray, and yellowish patterning, and lighter underparts. The transition between plumages begins in March and April before migration, and again in the Arctic during egg incubation. Downy chicks are patterned with gold and black on the head and back, with whitish-yellow underparts, and their legs and feet are adult-sized at hatching.

Habitat

The Pacific golden plover is a versatile bird, breeding in the Arctic tundra of Alaska and Siberia, where it finds insects and berries amidst the open spaces with short vegetation. Outside the breeding season, it adapts to a variety of habitats, including beaches, tidal flats, and even human-altered environments such as parks and golf courses.

Distribution

This species is a true globe-trotter, breeding in the northern reaches of Alaska and Siberia during the warmer months of May, June, and July. Come August and September, it migrates across the Pacific to wintering grounds in Asia, Australasia, and various Pacific islands, returning northward in April or May. Occasionally, it appears as a rare vagrant in western Europe.

Behaviour

The Pacific golden plover is known for its fidelity to breeding and wintering sites, often returning to the same territory year after year. This trait has endeared them to human observers, particularly in Hawaii, where they are affectionately known as kōlea. These birds have been observed to become quite tame around their human caretakers, with the oldest recorded individual reaching at least 21 years of age.

Breeding

Breeding takes place on the Arctic tundra, with males typically arriving first to claim and defend territories. Nests are constructed as shallow scrapes on the ground, lined with lichen, moss, and grasses. Females lay a clutch of four buff-colored eggs, speckled with black and brown. Both parents share the responsibilities of incubation, chick-rearing, and defense against predators.

Similar Species

The Pacific golden plover is often compared to the European golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria, and the American golden plover, Pluvialis dominica. It is most similar to the latter but can be distinguished by its slimmer build, longer legs, and typically more yellow on the back.

Diet and Feeding

Pacific golden plovers are opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of prey including insects, spiders, mollusks, crustaceans, small reptiles, as well as plant material like berries, leaves, and seeds. They exhibit a characteristic foraging behavior of running, stopping, and pecking, and tend to feed either singly within their territories or in loose groups when non-territorial.

Conservation status

As of the latest assessment by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Pacific golden plover is classified as Least Concern. Despite this, the species is experiencing a declining population trend, primarily due to habitat shifts and alterations driven by climate change and severe weather events.