The Zoochat Photographic Guide to Shorebirds, Flamingos and Grebes

[Mr. Zootycoon]

As this section of Zoochat is filling up faster with photographic guides than zoos are with meerkats, I decided I shouldn’t be left out of the fun. So I asked @TeaLovingDave for permission to make one too and here we are. This thread will be focussing mostly on the Charadriiformes (sometimes called shorebirds), a large, diverse and interesting order of birds within the Aequorlithornithes clade. It covers over 300 species of waders, gulls, auks, skuas and many more spread across the world. However, as the Mirandornithes, a much smaller but equally interesting clade containing the flamingos and grebes, form a monophyletic clade together with the Charadriiformes, it was suggested to include those birds too in this guide.


As such this guide will be split into two parts.

CHARADRIIFORMES

MIRANDORNITHES

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

CHARADRIIFORMES


The Charadriiformes are a diverse order of birds that contains distinct groups such as Gulls, Buttonquails, Sandpipers, Plovers, Stilts and Auks. Despite the substantial differences in morphology, ecology and behaviour, the monophyly of the order is well supported. The exact placement of the different genera, species and families however remained unclear for a long time, partly because of the morphological diversity but also because of the presence of several oddballs within the order. However, more recent research changed shed light on the phylogeny of these birds, and as such the current classification of the suborders of the Charadriiformes contains up to six suborders. The general arrangement is well-supported, although the exact placement of some families, especially regarding some monotypic “oddball families”, is not completely resolved.


CHARADRII - (4 extant families)

CHIONIDI - (4 extant families)

LARI - (5 extant families)

SCOLOPACI - (1 extant families)

THINOCORI - (4 extant families)

TURCINI - (1 extant family)


This six suborder classification will work for the purposes of this thread. However it should be said that these six are not universally accepted. The Charadriiformes can be divided into three main clades. One lineage contains the Charadrii and Chinoidi, most likely the basal clade within the Charadriiformes order. A second main lineage groups the Thinocori with the Scolopaci. The last main lineage contains only the Lari, but with the Turnici being a basal lineage to them. These clades can be seen as either four or six suborders. Previously, birds such as Bustards (Otidiformes) and Sandgrouse (Pterocliformes) used to be contained within the Charadriiformes, but they have since received their own orders, and are now thought to be closer related to Cuckoos and Pigeons respectively.

As there are a few unresolved lineages, especially on the lower taxonomic level, each of these will have a short explanation on taxonomy if deemed appropriate. The main source will be the Handbook of the Birds of the World and its taxonomy is used as the basis for this guide, so it will be consistent with the earlier Corvid and Ratite threads. In the case of more complex or unresolved taxonomy, the Clements and the IOC bird lists will also be used. Other additional sources will be listed at the bottom of each post.

Spoiler: References

Ericson, P. G., Envall, I., Irestedt, M., & Norman, J. A. (2003). Inter-familial relationships of the shorebirds (Aves: Charadriiformes) based on nuclear DNA sequence data. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 3(1), 16.

Fain, M. G., & Houde, P. (2007). Multilocus perspectives on the monophyly and phylogeny of the order Charadriiformes (Aves). BMC Evolutionary Biology, 7(1), 35.

Gibson, R., & Baker, A. (2012). Multiple gene sequences resolve phylogenetic relationships in the shorebird suborder Scolopaci (Aves: Charadriiformes). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 64(1), 66-72.

Gochfeld, M., Burger, J., & Jehl, J. R. (1984). The classification of the shorebirds of the world. In Shorebirds (pp. 1-15). Springer, Boston, MA.

Paton, T. A., & Baker, A. J. (2006). Sequences from 14 mitochondrial genes provide a well-supported phylogeny of the Charadriiform birds congruent with the nuclear RAG-1 tree. Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 39(3), 657-667.

Paton, T. A., Baker, A. J., Groth, J. G., & Barrowclough, G. F. (2003). RAG-1 sequences resolve phylogenetic relationships within Charadriiform birds. Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 29(2), 268-278.

Paton, T., Haddrath, O., & Baker, A. J. (2002). Complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequences show that modern birds are not descended from transitional shorebirds. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences, 269(1493), 839-846.

Thomas, G. H., Wills, M. A., & Székely, T. (2004). A supertree approach to shorebird phylogeny. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 4(1), 28.

Thomas, G. H., Wills, M. A., & Székely, T. (2004). Phylogeny of shorebirds, gulls, and alcids (Aves: Charadrii) from the cytochrome-b gene: parsimony, Bayesian inference, minimum evolution, and quartet puzzling. Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 30(3), 516-526.

Van Tuinen, M., Waterhouse, D., & J. Dyke, G. (2004). Avian molecular systematics on the rebound: a fresh look at modern shorebird phylogenetic relationships. Journal of Avian Biology, 35(3), 191-194.

In addition to the Handbook of the Birds of the World and the IOC and Clements bird lists.

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

CHARADRII


The Charadrii forms a major suborder within the Charadriiformes and contains eight families. These together contain 17 genera with about 90 species, with the Charadriidae being especially speciose. The exact placement of these families within the Charadrii is not completely resolved. The Haematopodidae and Recurvirostridae are sometimes included within the Charadriidae. Furthermore, the exact placement of Pluvianidae is unresolved, but while it has been linked with Charadrii in the past it currently seem to be part of Chionidi and will be discussed in that suborder.


CHARADRIIDAE - Lapwings, Plovers and Dotterels (12 genera, 71 species)

HAEMATOPODIDAE - Oystercatchers (1 genus, 11 species)

IBIDORHYNCHIDAE - Ibisbill (1 genus, 1 species)

RECURVIROSTRIDAE - Avocets and Stilts (3 genera, 10 species)

Spoiler: References

Fain, M. G., & Houde, P. (2007). Multilocus perspectives on the monophyly and phylogeny of the order Charadriiformes (Aves). BMC Evolutionary Biology, 7(1), 35.

Gochfeld, M., Burger, J., & Jehl, J. R. (1984). The classification of the shorebirds of the world. In Shorebirds (pp. 1-15). Springer, Boston, MA.

Hockey, P., Sharpe, C.J. & Bonan, A. (2019). Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae) | HBW Alive on 30 January 2019).

Knystautas, A.J. & Bonan, A. (2019). Ibisbill (Ibidorhynchidae). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Ibisbill (Ibidorhynchidae) | HBW Alive on 30 January 2019).

Paton, T. A., & Baker, A. J. (2006). Sequences from 14 mitochondrial genes provide a well-supported phylogeny of the Charadriiform birds congruent with the nuclear RAG-1 tree. Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 39(3), 657-667.

Pierce, R.J. & Bonan, A. (2019). Avocets, Stilts (Recurvirostridae). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Avocets, Stilts (Recurvirostridae) | HBW Alive on 30 January 2019).

Piersma, T. & Bonan, A. (2019). Plovers (Charadriidae). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Plovers (Charadriidae) | HBW Alive on 30 January 2019).

Thomas, G. H., Wills, M. A., & Székely, T. (2004). A supertree approach to shorebird phylogeny. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 4(1), 28.

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

CHARADRIIDAE


The Charadriidae represents a family of plover-like waders, containing 12 genera and 71 species of Plovers, Dotterels and Lapwings. This family may be paraphyletic, as some research suggests that Haematopodidae and Recurvirostridae are nested within the Charadriidae. There is also some dispute on the validity of certain genera and species, which will be discussed in the appropriate posts.


Anarhynchus - (1 species: Wrybill)

Charadrius - (33 species of Plovers)

Erythrogonys - (1 species: Red-Kneed Dotterel)

Eselyornis - (1 species: Black-Fronted Dotterel)

Eudromias - (1 species: Eurasian Dotterel)

Hoploxypterus - (1 species: Pied Lapwing)

Oreopholus - (1 species: Tawny-Throated Dotterel)

Peltohynas- (1 species: Inland Dotterel)

Phegornis - (1 species: Diademed Plover)

Pluvialis - (4 species of Plovers)

Thinornis - (2 species of Plovers)

Vanellus - (24 species of Lapwings)

Spoiler: References

Fain, M. G., & Houde, P. (2007). Multilocus perspectives on the monophyly and phylogeny of the order Charadriiformes (Aves). BMC Evolutionary Biology, 7(1), 35.

Paton, T. A., & Baker, A. J. (2006). Sequences from 14 mitochondrial genes provide a well-supported phylogeny of the Charadriiform birds congruent with the nuclear RAG-1 tree. Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 39(3), 657-667.

Piersma, T. & Bonan, A. (2019). Plovers (Charadriidae). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Plovers (Charadriidae) | HBW Alive on 30 January 2019).

Thomas, G. H., Wills, M. A., & Székely, T. (2004). A supertree approach to shorebird phylogeny. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 4(1), 28.

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Anarhynchus


Wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis)

This species with its unique bill shape occurs only in New Zealand, where it breeds along the river beds of (mostly central) South Island but winters mainly in North Island.

Monotypic

Photo by @Chlidonias in the wild, New Zealand

Spoiler: References

Clements, J. F., Schulenberg, T. S., Iliff, M. J., Roberson, D., Fredericks, T. A., Sullivan, B. L. & Wood, C. L. (2018). The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. retrieved from Downloadable Checklist | Clements Checklist on 30 Januari 2019)

Gill, F & Donsker, D. (Eds). (2019). IOC World Bird List (v9.1). doi:10.14344/IOC.ML.9.1. retrieved from IOC Lists « IOC World Bird List on 30 january 2019)

Wiersma, P. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis) on 30 January 2019).

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Charadrius

Given the size of this genus it is split up in two posts. The latter will have the reference list.


Northern Red-Breasted Plover (Charadrius aquilonius)

Formerly conspecific with the Southern Red-Breasted Plover, and still considered a subspecies by several authorities. Dowding (1994) presented a strong case of the division of the New Zealand Dotterel sensu lato in a northern and southern subspecies, based on morphology and ecology. HBW however recognises both subspecies as separate species. Sometimes placed in Pluvialis, or given its own genus along with the Southern Red-Breasted Plover (Pluviorhynchus). This species breeds along the coasts of North Island, New Zealand.

Monotypic

Photo by @Chlidonias in the wild, New Zealand

Southern Red-Breasted Plover (Charadrius obscurus)

Formerly the Northern Red-Breasted Plover was included within this species, and it is often still seen as a subspecies (see Northern Red-Breasted Plover for details). Sometimes placed in Pluvialis, or given its own genus along with the Southern Red-Breasted Plover (Pluviorhynchus). Critically endangered, breeds only on Stewart Island, New Zealand. Non-breeding flocks reach the southern tip of South Island.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of the species in the Zoochat gallery


Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

The range of this species extends from northeast Canada through Greenland and Iceland to Scandinavia, stretching east all the way to Chukotskiy Peninsula in northern Russia, and south along the western European coasts towards northwest France. Winters from Western Europe south throughout Africa and east towards southwest Asia. Hybridization occurs on Baffin Island with the closely related Semipalmated Plover.

Three subspecies are generally recognised. A fourth subspecies was proposed (kolymensis), but this one was indistinguishable from other subspecies.

hiaticula - photo by @LaughingDove in the wild, United Kingdom

psammodromus
tundrae


Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)

The breeding range of this species extends from the Aleutian Island east towards Newfoundland, and south to central British Columbia and Nova Scotia. Winters along the coasts of both North and South America. Hybridization occurs on Baffin Island with the closely related Common Ringed Plover.

Monotypic

Photo by @Maguari, in the wild, United States

Long-Billed Plover (Charadrius placidus)

This species breeds in far eastern Russia, northeastern China, Korea and Japan, as well as locally in northeast India. Winters south of their range, from eastern Nepal to northern Indochina. Once considered a subspecies of the Common Ringed Plover.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat gallery at time of writing.


Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

The breeding range of this species ranges across most of Eurasia from far western Europe to extreme eastern China and Japan; south to north Africa in the west, through the Indian subcontinent all the way to New Guinea in the east; north to far into Russia and Scandinavia. It winters mainly in Africa south of the Sahara and south and southeast Asia.

Three subspecies recognised.

curonicus - photo by @AdrianW1963 in the wild, United Kingdom

dubius
jerdoni - photo by @Chlidonias in the wild, India

Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia)

The range of this species extends along the coasts from the eastern United States through northern South America into northeastern Brazil, including Bahamas, Trinidad and Antilles. In the west it stretches from Baja California south towards central Peru. Northern population winter south of their breeding grounds, and as such populations from the USA and Mexico may winter in northern South America.

Four subspecies recognised, but there’s some dispute on the validity of one (beldingi). The populations of northeastern Brazil are sometimes named brasiliensis, but that is a junior synonym of crassirostris.

beldingi
cinnamominus
crassirostris
wilsonia - photo by @Maguari in the wild, United States

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

This species breeds throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico, south locally into Panama. Further populations are found on a stretch of western South America, from western Ecuador south to extreme northwest Chile, as well as on the Antilles, Bahamas and Virgin Island. Northern populations winter in northern South America.

Three subspecies recognised

peruvianus
ternomiatus
vociferus - photo by @vogelcommando in the wild, United States

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

This species has two disjunct breeding populations, one on the North American Atlantic coasts from Newfoundland to North Carolina, and one on the Great Plains and Great lakes of the United States and Canada. Winters along the Atlantic coast in southern North America, including the Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas and Greater antilles, as well as in western Mexico.

Two subspecies recognised. Previously, multiple subspecies were recognised based on slight morphological differences. However, genetic studies identified two main genetically distinct population (which, unsurprisingly, are both the disjunct breeding populations, see Miller et al 2010 for detail).

circumcinctus
melodus

Photo by @Ituri in the wild, United States. Most likely, though not certainly, subspecies circumcinctus (see Gratto-Trevor et al 2012).

Black-Banded Plover (Charadrius thoracicus)

Endemic to Madagascar, this species occurs along the western and southern coasts of the island, with occasional reports from the eastern coast.

Monotypic

Photo by @lintworm in the wild, Madagascar.

Kittlitz’s Plover (Charadrius pecuarius)

The range of this species covers most of sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the forested areas of eastern and central Africa. Also found in Egypt and Madagascar.

Several subspecies have been described, including isabellinus, allenbyi and tephricolor. However, the differences are clinal and sample sizes are small.

Monotypic

Photo by @Maguari in Weltvogelpark Walsrode

Saint Helena Plover (Charadrius sanctaehelenae)

Closely related - and often deemed conspecific - to the Kittlitz’s Plover, this species is endemic to Saint Helena, an island in the Atlantic ocean. Once highly threatened with extinction, but currently the population is growing again.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat gallery at time of writing.


African Three-Banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris)

Occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, from Eritrea to Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon, and south to South Africa. Recently colonised Egypt. Sometimes included in the genus Afroxyechus together with the Madagascan Three-Banded Plover and the Forbes’s Plover. Madagascan Three-Banded Plover is regularly included as a subspecies.

Monotypic

Photo by @Maguari in the wild, Botswana

Madagascan Three-Banded Plover (Charadrius bifrontatus)

Endemic to the Island of Madagascar, this species was (and still is by several authorities) deemed conspecific with the African Three-Banded Plover. Sometimes included in the genus Afroxyechus together with the African Three-Banded Plover and the Forbes’s Plover.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat gallery at time of writing.


Forbes’s Plover (Charadrius forbesi)

Once deemed conspecific with the African Three-Banded Plover, and sometimes included in the genus Afroxyechus together with both the African and the Madagascan Three-Banded Plover. The range of this species extents from Guinea to southwest South Sudan, and south to west Uganda. Occurs locally into central Uganda and west Zambia.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat gallery at time of writing.

 

[TheGerenuk]

This is shaping up to be a good thread! Keep up the good work!

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Charadrius

Part two. Note that the references from the first part are also found in this post.


White-Fronted Plover (Charadrius marginatus)

A species that occurs locally throughout sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar where it breeds along the coasts and shores of lakes and large rivers.

Several subspecies have been proposed, but there is much individual variation and intergradation. HBW currently recognised five subspecies. However, there’s no real consensus. hesperius for example, is not recognised by some authorities.

arenaceus
hesperius
marginatus
mechowi
tenellus - photo by @lintworm in the wild, Madagascar

Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)

Occurs from north African and western Europe through the Mediterranean, the Middle East and central Asia all the way to eastern China and Japan, as well as southeast India and Sri Lanka. Populations winter in sub-Saharan Africa, south Asia and west Indonesia. Several Charadrius species were once taught to be included in this species, including Javan, White-Faced, Snowy and White-Fronted Plover. (Rao et al. 2018)

Three subspecies recognised.

alexandrinus
nihonensis
seebohmi - photo by @ralph in the wild, Sri Lanka

Photo by @devilfish in Cañada de los Pájaros. This individuals is most likely subspecies alexandrinus, but I cannot exclude nihonensis with certainty.

White-Faced Plover (Charadrius dealbatus)

Often considered a subspecies of the Kentish Plover, the breeding range of this species is poorly known. It possibly breeds in southeastern China and it winters on the coasts of Vietnam, along the Gulf of Thailand to the Malaysian Peninsula and Sumatra. There has been a lot of confusion on which birds actually belong to this taxon, especially considering that nihohensis Kentish Plovers were once erroneously labelled dealbatus. Kennerly et al 2008 provides a fine overview of this confusion.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.


Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus)

Formerly considered conspecific with the Kentish Plover. Populations of this species occur in central and western United States, Mexico, the Bahamas and Greater and Leeward Antilles. Another subspecies occurs along the coast of southwestern Ecuador towards south central Chile. Northern populations winter south of their range to Panama.

Two subspecies recognised. However, the populations of the Gulf of Mexico may warrant their own subspecies (named C. n. tenuirostris) based on genetics (see Funk et al. 2007).

nivosus - Photo by @Ituri in the wild, United States

occidentalis


Javan Plover (Charadrius javanicus)

This very poorly known species occurs along the coasts of several Indonesian islands, such as Java, the Kangean Islands, Bali and the Lesser Sundas, and recently on Sumatra and Sulawesi.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.


Red-Capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus)

The range of species extends throughout Australia, with the exception of the arid interior. Also found on Timor and possibly Roti Island.

Monotypic

Photo by @LaughingDove in the wild, Rottnest Island, Australia

Malay Plover (Charadrius peronii)

This species occurs in much of southeast Asia, from southern Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia through the Malayan Peninsula far into Indonesia (including Borneo, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Timor and Bali) and the Philippines.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.


Chestnut-Banded Plover (Charadrius pallidus)

This species occurs patchily in sub-Saharan Africa. One subspecies (venustus) occurs in the Rift Valley on the Kenya-Tanzania border. The nominate is found on the coast from southern Angola towards Mozambique, and inland locally in Namibia, South Africa and Botswana.

Two subspecies recognised

pallidus
venustus

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.


Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris)

This species has an extensive range from the southern half of Mexico throughout Central America south through most of South America into central Argentina.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.


Puna Plover (Charadrius alticola)

The range of this species is limited to the puna zone in the Andes, from central Peru through western Bolivia and northeast Chile into northwest Argentina.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.


Two-Banded Plover (Charadrius falklandicus)

The range of this species extends along the coasts of southern South America, from central Chile in the west and south Brazil in the east south towards the Falkland Islands.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.


Double-Banded Plover (Charadrius bicinctus)

This species occurs in New Zealand and the Chatham Islands, and winters in south and east Australia, Tasmania, Norfolk Island and Lord Howe. Some may reach Fiji and New Caledonia. The birds on the Auckland Islands represent a different subspecies.

Two subspecies recognised.

bicinctus - photo by @Chlidonias in the wild, New Zealand.

exilis


Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus)

Breeds far inland in central Asia from Tien Shan south to the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau then towards the northeast through China to south Mongolia. Further populations occur in the Russian Far East. Winters along the coasts of eastern Africa, south and southeast Asia south to Australia. Some may even reach New Zealand (Shirihai 2000).

Although there is no complete consensus about on subspecies, HBW recognised five.

atrifrons
mongolus
pamirensis
schaeferi - photo by @LaughingDove in the wild, Thailand

stegmanni


Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii)

The range of this species expands from Turkey through the Middle-East in a roughly northeastern direction through central Asia, China and Mongolia into southeastern Russia. Winters along the coasts of northern and eastern Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, south and southeast Asia to Australia (Shirihai 2000).

Three subspecies recognised

columbinus
leschenaultii - photo by @Hix in the wild, Christmas Island

scythicus


Caspian Plover (Charadrius asiaticus)

This species breeds along the Caspian Sea east through western Asia into northwest China. Winters throughout eastern and southern Africa. Sometimes placed in a separate genus (Eupoda), along with the Oriental and Mountain Plover.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.


Oriental Plover (Charadrius veredus)

This species breeds throughout Mongolia, and also in the adjacent parts of southern Siberia and northwest China. Winters in northern Australia, sparsely in the south. Sometimes placed in a separate genus (Eupoda), along with the Caspian and Mountain Plover.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.


Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus)

This species breeds in central North America, in the Great Plains and the plateau that stretches from east Colorado south to west Texas. Winters in the southern United States and northern Mexico. Recently a breeding population was found within the wintering range. Sometimes placed in a separate genus (Eupoda), along with the Caspian and Oriental Plover.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.


Rufous-Chested Plover (Charadrius modestus)

Breeds on the southern tip of South America including the Falkland Islands. Winter further north along the coast to southern Brazil in the east and northern Chile and occasionally Peru in the west. Sometimes placed in it’s own genus Zonibyx.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.

Spoiler: References

Clements, J. F., Schulenberg, T. S., Iliff, M. J., Roberson, D., Fredericks, T. A., Sullivan, B. L. & Wood, C. L. (2018). The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. retrieved from Downloadable Checklist | Clements Checklist on 30 Januari 2019)

Dowding, John E. "Morphometrics and ecology of the New Zealand Dotterel (Charadrius obscurus), with a description of a new subspecies." Notornis 41.4 (1994): 221-233.

Funk, W. C., Mullins, T. D., & Haig, S. M. (2007). Conservation genetics of snowy plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) in the Western Hemisphere: population genetic structure and delineation of subspecies. Conservation Genetics, 8(6), 1287-1309.

Gill, F & Donsker, D. (Eds). (2019). IOC World Bird List (v9.1). doi:10.14344/IOC.ML.9.1. retrieved from IOC Lists « IOC World Bird List on 30 january 2019)

Gratto‐Trevor, C., Amirault‐Langlais, D., Catlin, D., Cuthbert, F., Fraser, J., Maddock, S., ... & Shaffer, F. (2012). Connectivity in piping plovers: Do breeding populations have distinct winter distributions?. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 76(2), 348-355.

Kennerley, P. R., Bakewell, D. N., & Round, P. D. (2008). Rediscovery of a long-lost Charadrius plover from South-East Asia. Forktail, 24, 63-79.

Piersma, T. & Bonan, A. (2019). Plovers (Charadriidae). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Plovers (Charadriidae) | HBW Alive on 30 January 2019).

Miller, M. P., Haig, S. M., Gratto-Trevor, C. L., & Mullins, T. D. (2010). Subspecies status and population genetic structure in Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus). The Auk, 127(1), 57-71.

Rao, G. B., Babu, S., Kumara, H. N., & Bilaskar, M. (2018). Ceylon Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus seebohmi breeding in Vani Vilasa Sagara, Hiriyur Taluka, Karnataka, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 10(1), 11237-11239.

Sangster, G., Collinson, J. M., Crochet, P. A., Kirwan, G. M., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D. T., & Votier, S. C. (2016). Taxonomic recommendations for Western Palearctic birds: 11th report. Ibis, 158(1), 206-212.

Shirihai, H. (2000). Identification, taxonomy and distribution of Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers. British birds, 93, 162-189.

 

[Sarus Crane]

I was planning on doing flamingos but since you beat me to it, you're more than welcome to use my flamingo size chart when you get to them.

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Erythrogonys


Red-Kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus)

The range of this species extends throughout much of Australia and extreme south New Guinea.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at time of writing.

Spoiler: References

Wiersma, P., Kirwan, G.M. & Bonan, A. (2019). Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus) on 7 February 2019).

 

[lintworm]

I just uploaded a bunch of pictures you might find useful to the Falkland Islands wildlife gallery. Additionally there is now a Greater painted snipe picture in the Tanzania Wildlife gallery and one of a White-eared grebe in the Argentina Wildlife gallery.

 

[vogelcommando]

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

This species breeds throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico, south locally into Panama. Further populations are found on a stretch of western South America, from western Ecuador south to extreme northwest Chile, as well as on the Antilles, Bahamas and Virgin Island. Northern populations winter in northern South America.

Three subspecies recognised

peruvianus
ternomiatus
vociferus - photo by @vogelcommando in the wild, United States

In fact, this photo was taken in Mexico ( Cancun ) .

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Elseyornis


Black-Fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops)

The range of this species extends throughout Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.

Monotypic

Photo by @Hix in the wild, Australia

Spoiler: References

Clements, J. F., Schulenberg, T. S., Iliff, M. J., Roberson, D., Fredericks, T. A., Sullivan, B. L. & Wood, C. L. (2018). The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. retrieved from Downloadable Checklist | Clements Checklist on 30 Januari 2019).

Gill, F & Donsker, D. (Eds). (2019). IOC World Bird List (v9.1). doi:10.14344/IOC.ML.9.1. retrieved from IOC Lists « IOC World Bird List on 30 january 2019).

Wiersma, P., Kirwan, G.M. & Boesman, P. (2019). Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops) on 15 February 2019).

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Eudromias


Eurasian Dotterel (Eudromias morinellus)

Once, and by many still, placed in the genus Charadrius. The breeding range of this species extends througout northern Eurasia, from the northern Britain through Scandinavia all the way to the Chukotskiy Peninsula in northern Siberia. Also breeds in northeast Kazakhstan and northwest China east into southeast Russia. More irregular breeding occurs in mountain ranges such as the Pyrenees, Alps, Carpathians and Caucasus, as well as sporadically in northwest Alaska. Winters mainly in northern Africa and the Middle East.

Monotypic

Photo by @Vision in the wild, Belgium (non-breeding plumage)

Spoiler: References

Clements, J. F., Schulenberg, T. S., Iliff, M. J., Roberson, D., Fredericks, T. A., Sullivan, B. L. & Wood, C. L. (2018). The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. retrieved from Downloadable Checklist | Clements Checklist on 30 Januari 2019)

Gill, F & Donsker, D. (Eds). (2019). IOC World Bird List (v9.1). doi:10.14344/IOC.ML.9.1. retrieved from IOC Lists « IOC World Bird List on 30 january 2019)

Wiersma, P. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Eurasian Dotterel (Eudromias morinellus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Eurasian Dotterel (Eudromias morinellus) on 15 February 2019).

 

[Mehdi]

My favourite "kind" of birds with passerines!

Lovely thread, I would love to help but I'm afraid the only gap I can fill right now is the alexandrinus ssp. of Kentish plovers and the only pictures I have of those are too bad to be uploaded. I think I will be able to help with some terns and gulls mainly though!

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Hoploxypterus


Pied Lapwing (Hoploxypterus cayanus)

The range of this species extends throughout South America west of the Andes. From the northern coasts of the continent south towards extreme northeastern Argentina, southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and eastern Peru. Vagrant east of the Andes with records from Peru.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at the time of writing.

Spoiler: References

Gill, F. B., & Donsker, D. (2019). IOC World Bird List (v 9.2). doi: 10.14344/IOC.ML.9.2

Wiersma, P. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Pied Lapwing (Hoploxypterus cayanus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Pied Lapwing (Hoploxypterus cayanus) on 1 July 2019).

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Oreopholus


Tawny-Throated Dotterel (Oreopholus ruficollis)

This species occurs in eastern and southern South America. One breeding population occurs in northern Peru, while the other extends from southern Peru south through eastern Bolivia, Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego.

Two subspecies recognised.

pallidus
ruficollis

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at the time of writing.

Spoiler: References

Gill, F & Donsker, D. (Eds). (2019). IOC World Bird List (v9.2). doi:10.14344/IOC.ML.9.2. retrieved from IOC Lists « IOC World Bird List on 8 juli 2019)

Wiersma, P., Kirwan, G.M. & Boesman, P. (2019). Tawny-throated Dotterel (Oreopholus ruficollis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Tawny-throated Dotterel (Oreopholus ruficollis) on 8 July 2019).

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Peltohyas


Inland Dotterel (Peltohyas australis)

This species has a relatively disjunct distribution throughout southwest, southcentral and east central Australia.

Subspecies whitlocki (southwest and central Australia) has been proposed, but currently thought invalid.

Monotypic

Photo by @Hix in Featherdale Wildlife Park

Spoiler: References

Gill, F & Donsker, D. (Eds). (2019). IOC World Bird List (v9.2). doi:10.14344/IOC.ML.9.2. retrieved from IOC Lists « IOC World Bird List on 8 juli 2019)

Wiersma, P. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Inland Dotterel (Peltohyas australis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Inland Dotterel (Peltohyas australis) on 9 July 2019).

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Phegornis


Diademed Plover (Phegornis mitchellii)

The range of species extends throughout the Andes from northern Peru south to central Argentina and southern Chile.

Monotypic

There are no pictures of this species in the Zoochat Gallery at the time of writing

Spoiler: References

Gill, F & Donsker, D. (Eds). (2019). IOC World Bird List (v9.2). doi:10.14344/IOC.ML.9.2. retrieved from IOC Lists « IOC World Bird List on 8 juli 2019)

Wiersma, P. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Diademed Plover (Phegornis mitchellii). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from Diademed Plover (Phegornis mitchellii) on 9 July 2019).

 

[Mr. Zootycoon]

Pluvialis


Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

Also known as Black-Bellied Plover, the breeding range of this species covers extreme northern Eurasia and North America. The wintering range is spread over coastal areas all over the world: western and southern Europe, Africa, southern and eastern Asia, Australia and the Americas.

Sometimes deemed monotypic, but three subspecies are generally recognised.

squatarola

Photo by @Maguari in the wild, United Kingdom (non-breeding plumage)

tomkovichi
cynosurae

Photo by @Ituri in the wild, United States (breeding plumage)

Eurasian Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)

The range of this species extends from Greenland through Iceland and northwestern and northern Europe east to the Taymyr peninsula in Russia. Wintering populations occur throughout western Europe south to the Mediterranean and the Caspian Sea.

There has been some debate regarding subspecies. Variation withing population is substantial, and the species is often deemed monotypic. HBW however, recognises two subspecies.

altifrons
apricaria

Photo by @Tomek in Warsaw Zoo, Poland (almost non-breeding plumage)

Photo by @vogelcommando in Naturzoo Rheine, Germany (breeding plumage)

Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva)

The breeding range or this species covers northern Russia from the Yamal Peninsula in the west to the Chukotskiy Peninsula in the east, and south towards Kamchatka. Also in Western Alaska. The wintering range extends from east Africa throughout southern Asia to Australia and New Zealand, with small numbers wintering in the southwestern United States.

Currently deemed monotypic, though the potential subspeciation of Siberian and Alaskan populations requires further investigation.

Monotypic

Photo by @Hix in the wild, Hawaii (breeding plumage)

Photo by @LaughingDove in the wild, Thailand (non-breeding plumage)

American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica)

The breeding range of this species ranges from western Alaska through northern Canada east to Baffin Island. Winters in eastern South America from southeastern Brazil south to northern Argentina.

Monotypic

Photo by @jusko88 in the National Aviary, United States

Spoiler: References

Engelmoer, M., & Roselaar, C. S. (2012). Geographical variation in waders. Springer Science & Business Media.

Gill, F & Donsker, D. (Eds). (2019). IOC World Bird List (v9.2). doi:10.14344/IOC.ML.9.2. retrieved from IOC Lists « IOC World Bird List on 8 juli 2019)

Wiersma, P., Kirwan, G.M. & Boesman, P. (2019). American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) on 9 July 2019).

Wiersma, P., Kirwan, G.M. & Boesman, P. (2019). Eurasian Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/53817 on 9 July 2019).

Wiersma, P., Kirwan, G.M. & Boesman, P. (2019). Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/53820 on 9 July 2019).