Kentish Plover

Charadrius alexandrinus

© 2025
Share   
0 recent observations

Brief #

Summer males have a black horizontal head bar, two incomplete dark breast-bands.

Synonyms #

  • Chorlitejo patinegro (Spanish)
  • PĂ­llara das dunas (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Kentish Plover is unlikely to become extinct in the near future.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

Both male and female birds have black bills and dark legs, however adults have dimorphic plumage. During the breeding season, males have a black horizontal head bar, two incomplete dark breast-bands on each side of their breast, black ear coverts and a rufous nape and crown (although there is some variation between breeding populations), whereas the females are paler in these areas, without the dark markings.

Measurements #

Length: 15 - 17 cm
Wingspan: 42 - 45 cm
Weight: 39 - 56 g