Grey Plover
Grey Plover ( Pluvialis squatarola )
The Grey Plover ( Pluvialis squatarola ) is a species of bird in the family of plovers ( Charadriidae ). It breeds in the Arctic tundra. The wader with striking contrasting plumage occurs during its migration period in Central Europe. At the North Sea to the Black-bellied Plover is also a sparse summer guest.
Description
Grey Plover are 26 to 29 cm tall and weigh 170-320 g The wingspan is 56 to 63 cm. Overall, the type is larger, stockier and leggy than the other plover species. The gray plover also has a thicker head and a more powerful black beak.
The plumage is black in breeding plumage at the bottom and solid black on top with white Endsäumen. Through these bright hems the body upper side affects overall silver-gray. In flight, black axillaries are seen.
When worn in the winter finishing the drawing dress the top is less clear, and additionally easily sand color, the underside of the hull is whitish, the chest, the vertex, occiput and cheeks are sand- colored colors and flanks mottled weak light brown. From contrasting plumage only portions of the light stripe over eyes and an elongated bright spot can be seen behind the cheek.
The short beak and eyes are dark, legs are gray. The Grey Plover can be up to 18 years old.
His reputation goes something like " pieüt ".
Habitat
The Grey Plover is a loner and breeds primarily in Arctic lowland tundra. The range extends from the east coast of the White Sea to the north-east of Siberia and from Alaska to Baffin Island. During the winter half of the year it holds on to the seashores on wide mud flats and sandy beaches. Only occasionally he can be seen in Europe and in the interior, where he usually resides at reservoirs and sewage farms.
On the coasts of Central Europe it is mostly observed during migration. Grey Plover are long-distance migrant, wintering among other things, the sea shores in the north- west of Europe, the western part of the North Sea to South Africa, the Mediterranean and the southern coasts of Asia as well as in the coastal areas of Oceania, Australia, New Zealand, North and South America. Individual ring finds prove Zugdistanzen of up to 8,650 kilometers. Grey Plovers leave their breeding sites from around August. In South Africa, wintering birds leave the region in the period March to May. On the North Sea coast are to be observed during their retreat especially in April.
Nutrition
The Grey Plover feeds on worms, crustaceans, snails, insects and their larvae. He locates its prey mainly visually, he can endure motionless for a few seconds before he visits a new location or pounces on its prey. Unlike the Golden Plover Grey Plover at a rapid trampling with the feet is not observed. Typical of the Grey Plover is a washing of the prey. Mussels he grabs often at the siphon and sweeps them suddenly set from the shell. Crabs are chopped into pieces. Occasionally it is observed that he defends a feeding territory in the winter.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity occurs after two years. The breeding season extends from June to July. The nest is a cavity, usually on a hill, which is padded with grass and straws. The female lays four eggs and warms it for four weeks until the chicks hatch. After five to six weeks, the young birds fledge.
Grey Plovers show a high degree of Brutorttreue, this being more pronounced in the males than in the females.