The mountain plover is a unique shorebird found in the western half of North America. These birds inhabit arid landscapes and grasslands, where they nest on the ground. Mountain plovers have experienced population declines in recent decades due to habitat loss, making an understanding of their range and distribution critical for conservation efforts. This article provides an overview of the mountain plover’s geographic range, habitat preferences, and current population status.
What is the mountain plover?
The mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) is a medium-sized shorebird in the plover family Charadriidae. Adults have pale brown upperparts, white underparts, and a white forehead and line over the eye. They have a black patch on the side of the breast, a thin dark bill, and yellow-green legs. Mountain plovers are highly camouflaged in their open, arid habitats.
Where is the geographic range of the mountain plover?
The breeding range of the mountain plover extends from southern Canada through the western United States. Their range stretches from southern Alberta and Saskatchewan south through Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Small populations also occur in California, Nevada, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
| State/Province | Breeding Population Estimate |
|---|---|
| Montana | 5,000-8,000 |
| Colorado | 3,000-4,000 |
| Wyoming | 500-1,000 |
| New Mexico | 500-1,000 |
| California | 50-75 |
During the nonbreeding season, mountain plovers migrate south to wintering grounds in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. A small number winter as far south as Florida.
What habitats do mountain plovers use?
Mountain plovers thrive in open habitats with short grasses and very sparse vegetation. This includes shortgrass prairie, desert grasslands, heavily grazed pasture, and agricultural fields. They avoid dense, tall vegetation where predators could conceal themselves. Throughout their range, mountain plovers are often associated with prairie dog towns, which provide ideal habitat conditions. The burrowing activities of prairie dogs create areas of low, sparse vegetation that mountain plovers prefer for nesting and foraging.
On their wintering grounds, mountain plovers primarily inhabit shortgrass plains, plowed agricultural fields, and grasslands grazed by cattle or prairie dogs. In California, wintering plovers concentrate in the Imperial Valley and Central Valley, where they use fields, alkali flats, and desert scrub habitats.
How has the mountain plover population changed over time?
At the time of European settlement, mountain plovers were common and widespread in western grassland habitats. However, the population underwent a steep decline in the early 1900s due to large-scale conversion of native prairie to cropland. Additional habitat loss occurred as grasslands became degraded by poor grazing practices. More recently, urban and energy development have caused further declines in breeding plovers.
Surveys in the 1990s estimated the continental population at 8,000 to 10,000 individuals. The current population is uncertain but likely ranges from 11,000 to 14,000 adult mountain plovers. While still well below historical numbers, stabilization efforts seem to have halted the population decline. Mountain plovers are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Major Geographic Areas for Mountain Plovers
Shortgrass Prairie Region
The Shortgrass Prairie extends through parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and the western Dakotas. This table summarizes key areas for breeding mountain plovers in the Shortgrass Prairie:
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Southeastern Colorado | Supports over half of Colorado’s breeding plovers, concentrated around Pueblo and the Comanche National Grassland. |
| Northwestern Colorado | Home to Colorado’s second largest breeding population, centered on Moffat and Rio Blanco counties. |
| Montana | Phillips County hosts one of the largest populations in Montana, mostly near the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. |
| Wyoming | Laramie County has a significant share of Wyoming’s plovers, especially around prairie dog towns. |
In this open, arid region, mountain plovers nest in prairie dog colonies, heavily grazed areas, and fields with sparse vegetation. Cattle grazing helps create suitable habitat conditions for the birds by reducing grass height.
Southern Great Plains
The Southern Great Plains span parts of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Here are prime spots for mountain plovers in this region during the breeding season:
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Northeastern New Mexico | Union County hosts a significant breeding population, especially in active and abandoned prairie dog towns. |
| Texas Panhandle | Armstrong and Carson counties support breeding mountain plovers associated with prairie dog colonies. |
| Cimarron National Grassland | This grassland in southwestern Kansas harbors breeding mountain plovers in shortgrass sites. |
| Rita Blanca National Grassland | A stronghold for breeding plovers in the Oklahoma Panhandle. |
In addition to prairie dog towns, mountain plovers nest in this region in heavily grazed pastures, burned grasslands, and fields planted with wheat.
Intermountain West
The Intermountain West region covers parts of Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and California. Here are important Intermountain West breeding areas:
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Southwestern Idaho | Owyhee County supports most of Idaho’s small breeding population, concentrated on Bureau of Land Management lands. |
| Northwestern Utah | Box Elder County hosts Utah’s largest breeding population, mostly around the Great Salt Lake. |
| Northeastern Nevada | Elko and White Pine counties harbor most of Nevada’s breeding plovers, especially around the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. |
| Northeastern California | Lassen County holds California’s tiny breeding population, mainly on protected lands like the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge. |
In these western states, mountain plovers nest in saltbush-greasewood desert scrub, along with arid grasslands and sagebrush steppe habitats.
Winter Distribution and Habitats
California and Arizona
California’s Central Valley and Imperial Valley provide wintering habitat for significant numbers of mountain plovers each year. Prime wintering sites include:
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Western Imperial Valley | Supports the densest wintering concentration, using agricultural fields and desert scrub. |
| Kern National Wildlife Refuge | Hosts large numbers in the southern San Joaquin Valley’s grasslands and fields. |
| Central Imperial Valley | Harbors many wintering plovers around the Salton Sea in saline lake margins and desert grasslands. |
In Arizona, mountain plovers gather in agricultural lowlands from Phoenix to Tucson, and south to the Mexico border.
New Mexico and Texas
Coastal prairies and agricultural areas in southern Texas and New Mexico’s Mesilla Valley support most of the wintering mountain plovers in these states. Key sites include:
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Willacy County, Texas | Hosts large concentrations in coastal grasslands and agriculture fields. |
| Mesilla Valley, New Mexico | Supports wintering plovers in alfalfa fields and shortgrass habitats. |
| Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, Texas | Harbors many wintering plovers in desert grasslands and shrublands. |
In both states, mountain plovers use plowed fields, heavily grazed pastures, and grassy plains in the winter.
Southern Florida
A small population of mountain plovers migrates to southern Florida for the winter. They are found in dry prairie habitats, pastures, and sod farms across central and south Florida. Important wintering sites include:
| Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Kissimmee Prairie | Supports plovers in dry prairie and cattle pastures. |
| Lake Wales Ridge | Hosts wintering plovers in dry, open habitats in Polk and Highlands counties. |
| Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge | Harbors plovers in short hydrologically managed wet prairies. |
Conservation Status and Threats
Conservation Status
Due to significant population declines over the past century, the mountain plover is recognized as a species of conservation concern:
- Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List
- Classified as a Bird of Conservation Concern by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Considered a Sensitive Species in many states throughout its range
While habitat protections have stabilized populations, the mountain plover remains vulnerable due to its specialized habitat needs and small global population size.
Population Threats
The major threats facing mountain plover populations include:
- Habitat loss from agriculture, urbanization, and energy development
- Degradation of native prairie through poor grazing practices
- Declines in prairie dog populations, a key creator of preferred habitat
- Human disturbance of nesting birds from recreation or other activities
- Predation by growing populations of raptors andmammalian predators
Maintaining suitable habitat conditions and protecting important sites will be crucial for the continued survival of mountain plover populations.
Conclusion
The mountain plover inhabits specialized shortgrass prairie and arid grassland habitats across western North America. Breeding populations are concentrated in the Shortgrass Prairie, Southern Great Plains, and Intermountain West. Major wintering areas include California, coastal Texas, and Florida. After severe declines linked to habitat loss, the mountain plover was listed as Near Threatened. Ongoing habitat management and protection of key sites will help ensure the future of this unique prairie shorebird. Understanding the geographic ranges, habitat use, and site-specific populations of the mountain plover will inform conservation planning efforts.
