The American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica) is a medium-sized shorebird that breeds in the arctic tundra of Alaska and Canada and migrates in the winter to grasslands and wetlands from the United States through South America. Their beautiful plumage gives them their common name, as their underparts are rich gold in color. But what are they named after specifically? Let’s take a closer look at this amazing migratory bird and find out the origins of its name.
Physical Characteristics
The American Golden-Plover is a rotund, short-legged shorebird reaching lengths of 8.7-10.6 in (22-27 cm) with a wingspan of 17.7-21.7 in (45-55 cm).
Some key physical features include:
- Golden-speckled dark gray upperparts
- White underparts and flanks, with rich golden-buff coloring on the face, neck, and undersides
- Black legs, bill, and eyes
- Short, stout dark bill used for surface pecking
- Round wings suited for long migratory flights
The golden plumage on their underparts gives rise to their common name. It contrasts beautifully with the speckled gray upperparts. The amount of gold varies depending on age and season – breeding adults have the richest, most vibrant gold coloring.
Range and Habitat
American Golden-Plovers breed in tundra habitat in Alaska and northern Canada during the summer months of May to August. Their nesting grounds stretch across northern Alaska and Canada, from the Kent Peninsula in Nunavut to Victoria Island in the Northwest Territories.
After breeding, they migrate long distances to their wintering grounds, traveling over 7,500 miles between their Arctic nesting and South American wintering grounds each year. Their migration route includes:
- Midwestern prairies and Pacific coast beaches of North America
- Central America
- Northern and central South America
On their wintering grounds they frequent grasslands, agricultural fields, wetlands, and mudflats from the southern United States to southern South America.
Diet
The diet of the American Golden-Plover consists primarily of insects and other small invertebrates. They forage by picking prey from the ground using their short bills. Their main food items include:
- Beetles
- Fly larvae
- Grasshoppers
- Crickets
- Spiders
- Worms
They have also been known to eat small amounts of berries and seeds depending on food availability.
Origin of “Golden-Plover” Name
The “plover” part of their name refers to the grouping of shorebirds to which they belong – the plovers. There are over 50 species of plovers worldwide.
The “golden” part of their name refers specifically to the vibrant golden-yellow coloration on the bird’s face, neck, breast, and undersides. The rich, golden plumage displayed by breeding adults in spring gave rise to their common name – the American “Golden”-Plover.
Some key facts about their golden coloring:
- The golden plumage is a distinguishing feature only seen in the American Golden-Plover and closely related Pacific Golden-Plover.
- Younger birds have less vibrant gold coloring that increases as they molt and mature.
- The gold is brightest right before and during the breeding season.
- The gold fades after breeding and molting in preparation for fall migration.
So in summary, they are named for their membership in the larger plover family of shorebirds, and more specifically, the brilliant golden coloration displayed on their undersides during the breeding season.
Taxonomy
The American Golden-Plover has the following scientific classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Charadriiformes
- Family: Charadriidae
- Genus: Pluvialis
- Species: Pluvialis dominica
This places them in the order Charadriiformes, which contains gulls, auks, plovers, and allies. Within this order, they belong to the family Charadriidae – the plovers.
Interesting Facts
- They are one of the longest distance migrating shorebirds, traveling up to 18,000 miles annually between nesting and wintering habitat.
- Their migratory flights can last 2-6 days nonstop over open ocean.
- They migrate in flocks of up to several hundred birds.
- Their winter range stretches across South America from northern Argentina to Brazil.
- They communicate with melodic, whistling calls.
- They are swift runners that prefer to walk or run versus wading in water like many shorebirds.
- Their nest is a shallow scrape lined with lichens and leaves.
- They have experienced population declines in the past decades, identifying them as a species of conservation concern.
Conclusion
In summary, the American Golden-Plover gets its name from its vibrant, golden plumage displayed during the breeding season along with its classification as part of the larger plover family of shorebirds. The rich gold on the face, neck, breast, and belly inspired early ornithologists to give it the common name “golden” plover. Their scientific name Pluvialis dominica also references their golden plumage. Next time you see an American Golden-Plover migrating along the coastline or wintering in South American grasslands, take a closer look at its beautiful golden coloring and appreciate the long journey it has traveled between its Arctic breeding and South American wintering grounds.
