American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominica
Silhouette: Emily Willoughby · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderCharadriiformes (Shorebirds and Allies)
- FamilyCharadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
- GenusPluvialis (Golden Plovers and Grey Plover)
- SpeciesPluvialis dominica (American Golden-Plover)
About the American Golden-Plover
The American golden plover (Pluvialis dominica) is a medium-sized plover. The genus name is Latin and means relating to rain, from pluvia, "rain". It was believed that golden plovers flocked when rain was imminent. The species name dominica refers to Santo Domingo, now Hispaniola, in the West Indies.
Measurements: Length: 24–28 cm (9+1⁄2–11 in) Weight: 122–194 g (4+5⁄16–6+13⁄16 oz) Wingspan: 65–67 cm (25+1⁄2–26+1⁄2 in) The breeding adult American golden plover has a black face, neck, breast, and belly, with a white crown and nape that extends to the side of the breast. The back is mottled black and white with pale, gold spots. The breeding female is similar, but with less black. When in winter plumage, both sexes have grey-brown upperparts, pale grey-brown underparts, and a whitish eyebrow. The head is small, along with the bill.
It is similar to two other golden plovers, European and Pacific. The American golden plover is smaller, slimmer and relatively longer-legged than European golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria) which also has white axillary (armpit) feathers. It is more similar to Pacific golden plover (Pluvialis fulva) with which it shares grey axillary feathers... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of American Golden-Plover in Amacayacu National Natural Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Amacayacu National Natural Park
Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis
Pied Lapwing
Hoploxypterus cayanus
Large-billed Tern
Phaetusa simplex
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
Yellow-billed Tern
Sternula superciliaris
Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius
Solitary Sandpiper
Tringa solitaria
White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollis
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Calidris subruficollis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.