Species · GBIF taxon 6065879
Snowy Plover
Charadrius nivosusAlso known as Western Snowy Plover
These tiny, pale shorebirds blend seamlessly into sandy beaches and salt flats, where they run in short, energetic bursts to snatch up insects. They build simple scrape nests directly on the open sand, relying on their cryptic coloration to hide their eggs from predators. Coastal development and human recreation pose significant challenges to their survival during the breeding season.
ShorebirdCoastalCamouflaged
Licensed referenceMike Baird from Morro Bay, USA / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
- diet
- Insects, marine worms, small crustaceans, and mollusks
- family
- Charadriidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, coastal development, human disturbance, and invasive beach vegetation
- life Span
- 3 to 15 years
NT
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Nesting populations are highly vulnerable to human disturbance, off-leash dogs, and beach development.
Stay below the high-tide line on nesting beaches, respect all fenced nesting areas, and never approach a nesting adult.- Watch the dry sand: Look for them running along the high tide line or nesting in dry, open sand above the water.
- Give them space: Keep a respectful distance of at least 50 meters, especially during the spring and summer nesting season.
- Leash your pets: Keep dogs on a leash when visiting beaches where these birds are known to nest.