Species › Birds › Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

CommonBird
Illustration of Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)

The Semipalmated Plover is a small plover with a single black breast band and orange-yellow bill base — like a miniature Killdeer. It is named for the partial webbing between its toes. It is one of the most commonly encountered shorebirds at mudflats during migration, running in the classic plover stop-and-tilt foraging style.

Habitat
Mudflats, beaches, and lake shores during migration
Diet
Marine worms, small invertebrates, and insects
How common
Common

Best time to see a Semipalmated Plover

The best time to see a Semipalmated Plover is May–September, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 23,731 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Semipalmated Plover? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Semipalmated Plover sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Semipalmated Plover?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More birds

Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris pusilla
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Accipiter striatus
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Tympanuchus phasianellus
Shiny Cowbird
Shiny Cowbird
Molothrus bonariensis
Short-billed Dowitcher
Short-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus griseus
Short-billed Gull
Short-billed Gull
Larus brachyrhynchus
Short-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Short-tailed Hawk
Short-tailed Hawk
Buteo brachyurus