Little ringed plover facts for kids
The little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius) is a small bird that belongs to the plover family. Its scientific name, Charadrius dubius, has an interesting meaning. Charadrius comes from an old word for a yellowish bird found near rivers. Dubius means "doubtful" because some people first thought this bird might just be a different version of another plover.
Quick facts for kids Little ringed plover |
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| Charadrius dubius near Roermond, Netherlands | |
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| Range of Ch. dubius Breeding Resident Passage Non-breeding |
Contents
What Does a Little Ringed Plover Look Like?
Adult little ringed plovers have grey-brown backs and wings. Their bellies are white. They have a white chest with a single black band around their neck.
Their heads have a brown cap and a white forehead. A black mask goes around their eyes, with white feathers above it. They have a short, dark beak. Their legs are a flesh colour, and their toes are all webbed.
This bird looks a lot like the larger ringed plover. But you can tell them apart by their leg colour, the patterns on their heads, and a bright yellow ring around the little ringed plover's eye.
Gallery
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Mating, the male bird hits the cloaca of the female bird
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Egg of Charadrius dubius, MHNT
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Little ringed plover chick
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A juvenile at Pulicat Lake, India
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Little ringed plover
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In Malta
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Where Do Little Ringed Plovers Live?
Little ringed plovers like to breed in open, gravelly areas near fresh water. This includes places like gravel pits, islands, and riverbanks. You can find them across Europe, Asia, and parts of northwestern Africa.
They build their nests right on the ground, usually on stones with very little plant growth. Both the male and female birds take turns sitting on the eggs to keep them warm.
These birds are migratory. This means they travel long distances. They spend their winters in Africa. When looking for food, they search on muddy ground, often using their excellent eyesight. They mostly eat insects and worms.
Types of Little Ringed Plovers
Scientists recognize three main types, or subspecies, of the little ringed plover:
- C. d. curonicus: This type lives in many parts of Eurasia, from Europe to Japan and China. They spend winter in places like the Sahara Desert and Indonesia.
- C. d. jerdoni: This type is found in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia.
- C. d. dubius: This type lives in the Philippines, New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago.
Protecting Little Ringed Plovers
The little ringed plover is a bird that is part of an important agreement. This agreement is called the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). It helps protect birds that travel between Africa and Eurasia.
