In the beginning the plover used to fly in large coveys. But one day, when Our Lady was riding on a horse, they ran across the road and frightened the horse so much that it threw the rider. Angry at the mishap, St. Mary cursed the plover that they should no longer gather in coveys […]
Category: Charadriidae
Bird stories, Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus)
In England the dotterel is considered an article of food a great delicacy. It is caught in the night by lamplight, in accordance with the movements of the fowler. For if he stretch out his arm the bird extends a wing. If he stretches a leg, the bird does the same. In short, whatever the […]
Moult, mass and migration of Grey Plovers Pluvialis squatarola wintering in South Africa.
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) Science Article 2 abstract Data on 355 Grey Plovers Pluvialis squatarola trapped in South Africa in 1971-1997 were used to describe seasonal body mass variation and moult in relation to their very long migrations. The estimated duration of adult primary moult, 131 days, was similar to that observed in India and […]
Origin and movements of Grey Plovers Pluvialis squatarolaringed in Germany
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) Science Article 3 abstract The general migration routes of waders using the East Atlantic flyway are reasonably wellknown. However, detailed studies on the migration routes and the origin of Grey Ploversstaging along the German coasts are very limited. Klaus-Michael Exo & Svea Wahls, Wader Study Group Bull. 81: 42-45. 1996 Download […]
The regulation of primary molt speed in the grey plover,Pluvialis squatarola
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) Science Article 1 abstract Grey plovers wintering at different latitudes differ in duration of molt. We investigated the role of simultaneous primaryshedding and different growth rates of individual primaries on regulation of molt speed. We also explored relationships betweenlength and mass of primaries and primary growth rates. Grey plovers adjusted molt […]
The Migration of the American Golden Plover Through Surinam
American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) Science Article 8 abstract American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) has the fame of making a long transoceanic flight in autumn from Nova Scotia to northern South America and after a short stop proceeding to its winter quarters in Argentina. In spring the birds are said to return in a long […]
Morphometric features of Pacific and American Golden-Plovers withcomments on field identification.
American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) Science Article 2 abstract We measured linear dimensions and evaluated identification criteria in Pacific and American Golden-Plovers(Pluvialis fulva and P. dominica) captured for banding. Most of the fulva sampled were wintering birds inHawaii, representative of the mid-Pacific flyway; additional fulva and all dominica were from breeding groundson the Seward Peninsula, […]
Featured Photo: Identification of Adult Pacific and American Golden Plovers in their Southbound Migration
American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) Science Article 6 abstract Connors (1983) and Connors et al. (1993) confirmed that American (Pluvialis dominica) and Pacific (P. fulva) Golden-Plovers breeding in sympatry in Alaska are distinct species, a conclusion adopted by the A.O.U. (1993). Distinguishing these two species requires that the bird’s age or plumage class be determined […]
Male-Biased Breeding Ground Fidelity and Longevity in American Golden-Plovers
American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) Science Article 7 abstract The American Golden-Plover (PZuvialis dominicus) and its close relative the Pacific Golden-Plover (P. jiilva) are seasonally monogamous with both parents sharing in defense of the breeding territory, incubation, and care of the young (for a detailed treatment of breeding
Pacific and American Golden-Plovers: reflections on conservation needs
American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) Science Article 3 abstract Much has been learned about the biology of Pacific and American Golden-Plovers (Pluvialis fulva and P. dominica)in recent years. However, most of this information does not address conservation-related questionsaffecting the future of these birds. We lack accurate demographic figures (guesstimates of world populationvary more than 30-fold […]