Piping Plover

About This Species

A small, pale shorebird with a distinctive black breast band, the Piping Plover nests on sandy beaches and is federally listed as threatened due to habitat loss and disturbance.

Fun Facts

• Endangered status: Listed as threatened or endangered throughout its range due to beach development and human disturbance.
• Camouflage experts: Pale plumage blends perfectly with sandy beaches, making them hard to spot.
• Broken-wing display: Adults perform dramatic distraction displays to lure predators away from nests and chicks.
• Beach nesters: Nests are simple scrapes in the sand, often decorated with pebbles and shells.