Plover (Wilson)

A medium-sized plover of ocean beaches, the Wilson's Plover has a single chest band and a large, thick bill. The large bill helps it catch and eat larger prey items than other plovers on the beach.

 

Wilson's Plovers breed in the U.S. along the Atlantic coast from Maryland to Florida, and along the Gulf Coast from Florida to south Texas. They spend winters along both coasts of Florida and is uncommon along the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. Most winter along the coasts of Mexico and south to Brazil. Resident throughout Central America and the Caribbean to northern South America. Preferred habitats include open sand or shell beaches and tidal mudflats

 

Wilson's Plover: Eats mostly crustaceans, such as fiddler crabs, crayfish, and shrimp, but also feeds on mollusks, marine worms, and insects. Usually forages on beaches or around ponds left by high tides.

Photographed at Tigertail Beach, Marco Island, Florida