Alternate Adult male has single dark breastband that is wider laterally, white throat, and collar. Head pattern is distinctive; white on forehead, black arching from the front of the eye across the forecrown, partial white supercilium above and behind the eye, broad black mask through the eye that connects to brown crown at the top of the nape, thin complete yellowish eye ring, and a short bi-colored bill that is orange on the base and black towards the tip. Upperparts dark earthy brown, white underparts, and orange-yellow legs. Female is similar, but with a narrower breast band and slightly washed out black facial markings. Basic Adult has mostly dark bill; white supercilium connects to white forehead and dark facial markings are dusky brown instead of black. Juvenile is very similar to Basic Adult, but breast band is usually broken, not connecting in the middle. Narrow pale margins on back and wing coverts give upperparts a slightly scaly appearance. In flight, tail is darker on outer third and has a narrow pale border. Compare Snowy, Piping, and Wilson's Plovers; also juvenile Killdeer.

Length: 18 (cm) Wingspan: 48 (cm)

Voice:

Upslurred two-note whistle best described as "chu-wee," with accent on second syllable.

Habitat:

Breeds on arctic tundra; otherwise uses mudflats, lakeshores, estuaries, beaches.

Behavior:

Often runs in short bursts across mudflats. Nest is a ground depression in sand or dry soil. In migration and winter, sometimes joins flocks of other shorebirds, especially Sanderlings and peeps.

Feeding:

Forages on sandy or muddy areas for aquatic worms, crustaceans, and insects.