Mongolian plover
Charadrius mongolus
Identification Tips:
- 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.