The piping plover is a small North American shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal beaches and shorelines of the Great Lakes. Piping plovers are considered threatened or endangered throughout much of their range. Their populations have declined dramatically since the mid-20th century due to habitat loss, increased predation, and human disturbance. Understanding the current population status and conservation efforts for the piping plover helps shed light on the challenges facing this vulnerable species.
What is the piping plover?
The piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is a small North American shorebird approximately 17–18 cm in length with a wing span of 35–41 cm and a mass of 42–64 g. Adults have sand-colored upper parts, a white underside, and orange legs. During the breeding season, adults have a black band across the forehead from eye to eye, and a black breast band. Piping plovers blend in well with open sandy beaches.
Their name comes from their melodic calls which sound like plaintive whistles, often heard before the birds are visible. Plovers pip and peep to communicate with each other and warn of predators.
Range and habitat
Piping plovers breed in three geographic regions of North America: the Atlantic coast, the Northern Great Plains, and the Great Lakes. Migration routes are not completely known, but piping plovers overwinter along coastal areas of the U.S. from North Carolina to Texas, along the coast of eastern Mexico, and on Caribbean islands.
Piping plovers nest on coastal beaches and shorelines, often with little vegetation. They prefer wide, flat, open, sandy beaches or shorelines near shallow water. Their nests consist of shallow scraped depressions in the sand or small pieces of driftwood.
Feeding habits
Piping plovers forage and feed along beaches and shorelines by pecking for invertebrates in wet sand. They eat insects, fly larvae, beetles, spiders, crustaceans, mollusks and marine worms. They may also eat seeds and fruits. Plovers often feed at the surf line, dunes, intertidal zone and washover passes. Parents feed their chicks small invertebrates.
Breeding and reproduction
The piping plover breeding season runs from mid March to mid August. After courtship flights, scraping nests in the sand, and mating, females lay a clutch of 2-4 eggs over several days. Eggs are incubated by both parents for 25-31 days. Precocial chicks can feed themselves shortly after hatching while parents brood them for warmth. Chicks fledge in 25-35 days. Most piping plovers breed at age 1-3 years old. Their life span in the wild may reach 15 years.
Population status
Piping plovers are listed as federally threatened or endangered in the U.S. and Canada. In 1985, there were approximately 5,300 pairs reported. In 2019, the total population was estimated at 5,787 pairs – still well below historical levels. Atlantic Coast and Northern Great Plains populations are listed as threatened, while Great Lakes populations are endangered.
Atlantic Coast
The 2019 Atlantic coast piping plover population was estimated at 1,879 breeding pairs by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This is a slight increase from 2009 numbers, but still below recovery targets. Threats include habitat loss, predators, human disturbance, storms and sea level rise.
Northern Great Plains
Surveys in 2019 estimated 2,105 piping plover pairs in the Northern Great Plains, below the 2006 peak but increased in recent years. Habitat loss, predation and human activity threaten nesting plovers.
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes piping plover population reached a low of just 12-17 pairs in 1990. Protection efforts increased the population to 75 pairs by 2009. But habitat loss, predators and storms impacted the population, which dropped to 51 pairs by 2019.
Threats and challenges
Several key factors have contributed to the piping plover’s threatened status across North America:
Habitat loss and degradation
Development along coastlines has claimed habitat used by piping plovers for feeding and nesting. Hard structures like seawalls and revetments change habitat. Dams on rivers affect sediment transport and beach erosion patterns. Off-road vehicles and trampling degrade fragile nesting areas.
Increased predation
Predators including foxes, raccoons, skunks, crows, gulls, and ghost crabs threaten eggs and chicks. Predators are especially drawn to habitats modified by human presence. Predator control helps but can be controversial.
Human disturbance
Increased human activity on beaches – recreation, pets, vehicles, fishing, garbage – can flush piping plovers from nests, leaving the eggs vulnerable. Nests and chicks are mistaken for rocks or driftwood and accidentally crushed.
Severe weather events
Storms, droughts and flooding destroy nesting habitat. Climate change and sea level rise exacerbate these impacts long-term.
Population fragmentation
Small, scattered populations with fewer breeding pairs are at greater risk of inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity. Isolated groups may not be able to naturally repopulate other areas.
Recovery and conservation efforts
Several initiatives aim to protect and recover piping plover populations across their breeding and migratory ranges:
Habitat protection and restoration
Limiting access and development in plover nesting areas protects habitat. Managing vegetation and mimicking natural coastal processes restores habitat. Symbolic fencing delineates sensitive nesting sites.
Monitoring and banding
Wildlife agencies monitor piping plovers and band them to track populations and distribution. Banding helps identify specific breeding pairs and their reproductive success.
Predator management
Predator exclosures physically protect nests from predators. Removing trash deters scavengers. Predator trapping or lethal control remains controversial.
Public education
Outreach campaigns help beachgoers recognize piping plovers and understand how to avoid disturbing nesting birds. Education promotes support for conservation.
Partnerships
Cooperation across federal and state agencies, environmental groups, land managers, researchers and volunteers maximizes resources for plover recovery.
Captive rearing
Breeding piping plovers in captivity has been tried experimentally to supplement wild populations. But captive-raised birds may lack traits needed for survival.
Legal protections
The Endangered Species Act protects plovers and their habitat. Violations carry fines and penalties. But laws can be difficult to enforce over wide coastal areas.
Future outlook
Piping plover populations remain below target recovery levels across their range, leaving the species vulnerable. However, recent counts indicate numbers may be stabilizing rather than declining further. Continued conservation efforts focused on protecting nesting habitat, minimizing disturbance, managing predators, and building coastal resiliency will give piping plovers the best chances for survival in the future. With coordinated action guided by science, piping plovers may eventually recover and thrive again on North American beaches.
Conclusion
The piping plover serves as an important indicator species for the health of coastal ecosystems in North America. Protection efforts have helped piping plover populations begin to stabilize and rebound from historical lows. However, the species remains threatened by habitat loss from shoreline development and recreation. Piping plovers face predation pressures exacerbated by human activity. Climate change and severe weather events threaten to accelerate coastal habitat loss. Ongoing conservation initiatives focused on habitat protection, public education, partnerships, and building coastal resilience are critical to the piping plover’s recovery. If current efforts can be sustained and expanded, piping plovers may be able to bounce back and once again nest undisturbed on open sandy beaches across their range. The continued survival of the piping plover depends on a committed, collaborative, science-based approach to coastal ecosystems that balances human use with the needs of vulnerable wildlife.