Caspian plover facts for kids
The Caspian plover (Anarhynchus asiaticus) is a type of wader bird. It belongs to the plover family. These birds are known for wading in shallow water or on shorelines.
This plover makes its home in western and central Asia. When winter comes to the north, it flies south. It travels all the way to eastern and southern Africa to find warmer weather.
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What Does the Caspian Plover Look Like?
The Caspian plover is a bit bigger than a ringed plover. It looks similar to other sandplovers. But it is thinner and has longer legs.
It has a clear white stripe above its eye, like an eyebrow. Its bill is long and thin. Unlike some other plovers, it doesn't have white on the sides of its tail. It also has only a faint white stripe on its wings.
In summer, male Caspian plovers have grey-brown backs. Their face and belly are white. Their chest is a reddish-brown color, with a black line underneath. Female birds in summer might have a hint of this reddish-brown on their chest. Other times of the year, both males and females have a grey-brown band across their chest. Their call sounds like a sharp chip.
Where Do Caspian Plovers Live and Travel?
The Caspian plover breeds near the Caspian Sea in western Asia. This area includes southern Russia, Turkey, Iran, and several other countries.
They like to live in wide-open spaces. These include steppes (grassy plains), edges of deserts, and salty areas. They can be found up to about 800 meters (about 2,600 feet) high.
After breeding, they start their long migration. They fly to eastern and southern Africa, reaching as far as the Zambezi River. In Africa, they prefer dry grasslands, coastal sand dunes, and sometimes even farm fields.
Sometimes, a Caspian plover might fly off course. They are very rare visitors to western Europe and even Australia.
How Do Caspian Plovers Live?
Caspian plovers build their nests on open grasslands. They often nest in loose groups. The nest is usually just a scrape on the bare ground or among short plants. The female lays three eggs.
They find their food by picking it from the ground. They mostly eat small insects like beetles, termites, ants, and grasshoppers. They also eat small snails. Sometimes, they even eat grass seeds.
Are Caspian Plovers Endangered?
The Caspian plover lives across a very large area. The total number of these birds might be slowly going down. This is mainly because their breeding areas are changing.
However, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists them as "Least Concern". This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. The decline is not fast enough to put them in a more threatened group.
The Caspian plover is also protected by an agreement called the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). This agreement helps protect birds that migrate across Africa and Eurasia.
