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Plovers

The Charadriidae family, consisting of about 64 to 68 species, includes plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. These birds were first categorized by William Elford Leach in 1820 and are generally small to medium-sized with compact bodies, short necks, and long, pointed wings, though lapwings can have rounder wings. Their bills and toes are typically short, while the tail length can vary. They exhibit little sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females look similar. Size varies as seen between the tiny collared plover and the larger masked lapwing. Found globally in open areas near water, their habitats can range from deserts to grasslands. Charadriidae visually hunt for invertebrates and plant material, foraging with a distinctive run-and-pause technique. Most species are socially monogamous, though mating practices can vary from polygyny to sequential polyandry. Breeding involves highly visible territorial displays and the laying of two to four eggs in a ground scrape, which are incubated for 21–30 days. The distribution of incubation duties between the parents can vary widely. Charadriidae are protective of their eggs and young, using alarm calls, distraction displays, and even direct attacks to deter predators. Chicks are born precocial and are not fed by their parents.

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A photo of a American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica)

American Golden Plover

Pluvialis dominica
A photo of a Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops)

Black-fronted Dotterel

Elseyornis melanops
A photo of a Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) , male

Dotterel

Charadrius morinellus

Double-banded Plover

Charadrius bicinctus
A photo of a Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii) , male

Greater Sand Plover

Charadrius leschenaultii
A photo of a Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarola
A photo of a Hooded Dotterel (Thinornis cucullatus)

Hooded Dotterel

Thinornis cucullatus
A photo of a Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) , male

Kentish Plover

Charadrius alexandrinus
A photo of a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus
A photo of a Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus) , male

Lesser Sand Plover

Charadrius mongolus
A photo of a Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubius
A photo of a Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)

Masked Lapwing

Vanellus miles

New Zealand Plover

Charadrius obscurus
A photo of a Oriental Plover (Charadrius veredus)

Oriental Plover

Charadrius veredus
A photo of a Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva)

Pacific Golden Plover

Pluvialis fulva
A photo of a Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus)

Red-capped Plover

Charadrius ruficapillus
A photo of a Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus)

Red-kneed Dotterel

Erythrogonys cinctus
A photo of a Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticula
A photo of a Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

Shore Dotterel

Thinornis novaeseelandiae

Wrybill

Anarhynchus frontalis
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