Mongolian plover Charadrius mongolus

Identification Tips:

• Length: 6 inches
• Small shorebird
• Short, fairly thin, dark bill
• Legs black
• Rare stray to West Coast

Adult alternate

• Black and white face pattern
• Rusty breast band
• Gray upperparts and white underparts

Adult basic

• Gray upperparts
• White underparts
• Gray-brown patch at side of breast

Juvenile

• Upperparts have pale fringes to feathers

Similar species:

In alternate plumage, the rust breast band is diagnostic. In winter and juvenile plumages, the lack of a breastband distinguishes it from other small plovers.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.