The golden plover and the American golden-plover are two similar looking shorebirds found throughout the world. They belong to the genus Pluvialis and look very much alike, which often leads to some confusion in distinguishing between the two species. However, there are some key differences in their distribution, breeding habitat, and visual appearance that can help identify them.
Geographic Distribution
The golden plover has a wide distribution and is found throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. During winter, it migrates south to areas like southern Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean. The American golden-plover breeds in Arctic regions of North America and migrates long distances to wintering grounds in South America.
| Species | Breeding Range | Wintering Range |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Plover | Europe, Asia, North Africa | Southern Asia, Africa, Mediterranean |
| American Golden-Plover | Arctic North America | South America |
As seen from the table, the golden plover breeds in the Palearctic region including Europe and Asia and winters further south in the Mediterranean region and Africa. The American golden-plover nests in the Nearctic region in the Arctic tundra of North America and travels all the way to South America for the winter. This difference in geographic breeding and wintering range is one of the most reliable ways to distinguish the two species.
Breeding Habitat
The breeding habitats of the golden plover and American golden-plover also differ subtly.
The golden plover nests in treeless Arctic and subarctic tundra, on coastal wetlands, upland tundra, and islands with low vegetation. It prefers a mix of wet marshes, mudflats, and drier lichen-covered ridges for nesting.
The American golden-plover breeds in similar tundra habitat but is also found nesting in rocky inland areas away from the coast. It prefers sloped tundra areas with good drainage for nesting.
So while both occupy Arctic tundra, the golden plover sticks closer to the coast and wetlands while the American golden-plover can inhabit drier interior tundra habitat.
Appearance
Both species of golden plovers have a speckled gray-brown upper body, white underside, and golden spangled upperparts that give them their name. However, there are some subtle differences in their visual appearance:
Plumage
– The American golden-plover has a longer primary projection (the projection of the longest primary feather beyond the wing tip) in flight. This gives the wing tip a more tapered look.
– The golden plover has more extensive black markings on the axillaries (underwing coverts).
– Breeding plumage golden plovers have heavier black spotting on the breast.
– Non-breeding and juvenile American golden-plovers have finer streaking on the undertail coverts.
Bill
– The bill of the American golden-plover averages slightly shorter and stouter.
Legs
– The American golden-plover has longer yellow legs that clearly project beyond the tail in flight. The legs of the golden plover are shorter in proportion and do not extend much past the tail.
So in summary, the key differences in appearance are the longer wing projection, longer yellow legs, and finer streaking of American golden-plover compared to the more heavily spotted breast and shorter legs of the golden plover. These features require careful observation but can help distinguish the two species.
Behavior
The golden plover and American golden-plover share the behavior of breeding in the high Arctic during summer and migrating long distances to wintering grounds. However, there are some behavioral differences:
Migration
– American golden-plovers undergo one of the longest known migrations in the animal kingdom from Alaska to southern South America. Golden plovers have shorter migrations between Europe/Asia and Africa/Mediterranean region.
– American golden-plovers travel over sea during migration while golden plovers tend to migrate over land.
Feeding
– On the wintering grounds, golden plovers forage more on dry inland fields and grasslands. American golden-plovers feed more along coastal habitats like tidal flats and estuaries during the non-breeding season.
Sociality
– During migration, golden plovers can form large dense flocks. American golden-plovers have a more solitary migration in smaller dispersed groups.
So in summary, the American golden-plover is famous for its extremely long trans-oceanic migrations while the golden plover undertakes shorter land-based migrations. Their feeding and sociality also differ subtly between inland and coastal habits.
Taxonomy
Both golden plovers belong to the genus Pluvialis in the family Charadriidae:
Golden Plover
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Pluvialis
Species: Pluvialis apricaria
American Golden-Plover
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Pluvialis
Species: Pluvialis dominica
They were formerly considered conspecific (the same species) but based on differences in morphology, breeding range, and behavior they are now recognized as two separate species by taxonomists.
Conservation Status
The golden plover and American golden-plover have different current conservation statuses:
| Species | Conservation Status |
|---|---|
| Golden Plover | Least Concern |
| American Golden-Plover | Near Threatened |
The American golden-plover has a more threatened status and declining population numbers due to habitat loss and hunting on its wintering grounds and migration stopover sites. The golden plover remains relatively widespread and has a stable population trend currently.
Key Takeaways: How to Tell them Apart
To quickly recap how to distinguish these two similar plover species:
– Check the location. Golden plover in Eurasia, American golden-plover in the Americas.
– Note the wing projection. Longer in American golden-plover.
– Check for yellow leg projection. Longer legs in American golden-plover.
– Look for heavy black spotting. Present on breeding golden plovers.
– See if undertail coverts are streaked or spotted. Streaked in American golden-plover.
– Consider subtle bill differences. Slightly shorter and stouter in American golden-plover.
Checking a combination of geographic location, plumage traits, and structural features like bill and leg length is needed for reliable identification. With practice, the distinctions become easier to apply in the field or from a photograph.
Conclusion
In summary, while the golden plover and American golden-plover appear very similar they can be distinguished by their breeding and wintering ranges, subtle plumage and structural differences, and some variations in their migration and foraging behavior. Checking a combination of location, plumage, bill size, and leg length makes identification straightforward with some practice. Being aware of the key differences allows observers and birders to confidently differentiate these two golden-spangled plovers.
