This is the largest of the four Pluvialis plovers, with a large head and heavy bulbous bill. In all plumages, the white rump and black axillaries, visible in flight, are distinctive. In flight, the underside of the wings are mostly white, while the upperside is dark with a bold white wing stripe. At rest, the wingtips extend just beyond the tail. Legs are black in alternate plumage, gray in basic. Alternate Male: Upperparts are black with bold white spangles. The tail is white with narrow blackish bars. The white crown and sides of the neck contrast with the black face and breast. The lower belly and vent are white. Alternate Female: Similar to male, but upperparts may appear more brownish overall. The tail is brown with darker brown bars. The black underparts are dappled with white. Basic Adult: Dull gray-brown upperparts. Underparts are white with fine gray-brown streaking on the neck, breast, and flanks. Juvenile: Dark gray upperparts with whitish or buffy notches. Underparts are more extensively streaked than basic adult.

Length: 28 (cm) Wingspan: 56 (cm)

Voice:

Call is a slurred, whistled Plee-ur-ee.

Habitat:

Nests on dry tundra. Winter and migration habitats include coastal beaches, flooded fields, lakeshores.

Behavior:

Less approachable than other plovers, quick to take flight when disturbed.

Feeding:

Hunts for invertebrates along shorelines. Occasionally wades when feeding. Occasionally found in wet muddy fields during winter, but otherwise less inclined to use upland habitats than other Pluvialis plovers.