Plover (Pacific Golden)

The Pacific Golden Plover known as the Kolea in Hawaiian, is the most common of Hawaii's migrant shorebirds. Most adult birds return from their Arctic nesting grounds in Alaska, Siberia and Northern Asia in late July and August, with juveniles following in late September. Most birds then leave by early May, although a few remain throughout the summer. Those birds that decide to stay in Hawaii throughout the summer months are usually first-year birds. Pacific Golden Plovers do not nest in Hawaii.

The Pacific Golden Plover looks for food by making short runs with frequent stops, where it stabs at the ground to pick and consume beetles, grubs, worms, ants, other invertebrates, and sometimes vegetation.



Photographed in the wild, Big Island Hawaii  (2014)