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Snowy plover
Charadrius nivosus
30.2739, -87.5529
Field Notes
Description:
The Snowy plovers non breeding plumage lacks the dark crown stripe and have a paler neck stripe. Sandy gray above and white below with a short black bill and gray legs. There was so much sand in the air from the wind blowing I almost didn't see this small shorebird and I didnt notice the bands on its legs until I got the pics on my computer.
Habitat:
Spotted at the Perdido Pass/Alabama Point East which is part of Gulf State Park. Consisting of beach and sea oat habitat. In this case "sea oat habitat" is sand dunes partially covered by Sea oats (Uniola paniculata) a tall subtropical grass that is an important component of coastal sand dune and beach plant communities. Snowy Plovers can usually be found in the dunes closest to the beaches so they can quickly exploit both habitats for food. Unfortunately these habitats are being destroyed by human development.
Notes:
The Snowy plover is declining in some areas, especially along the Gulf Coast and parts of the Pacific Coast and is considered threatened in parts of its range. Human disturbance on beaches often causes failure of nesting attempts. Here is an interesting article that explains some of the on going studies of the Snowy plover in Alabama : https://www.thisisalabama.org/2017/10/30/alabamas-little-wading-bird-yo…
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