Plover golden. Reproduction and lifespan of plover

Charlottes(lat.Charadriida) - a family of birds from the order Charadriiformes. It includes short-legged wattled birds of small and medium size, living in shallow water. The largest plovers belong to the lapwing subfamily.

Description

Length from 12 cm (small plovers) to 38 cm (large lapwings). Weight from 25 - 30 g to 440 g. Plovers are more dry-loving than snipes, they walk and run better on hard ground. Their toes are on average shorter and thicker, the tarsus is wider, the membrane connecting the bases of the fingers is poorly developed. The hind toe is very small or absent, the head of the plovers is relatively large, the neck is short, the build is dense, the legs can be both relatively short and very long.

The tail is usually short, the wings are long, their shape varies from sharp and narrow to wide and blunt, almost square. The coloration of plovers is brighter and more contrasting than that of snipes; small streaks are generally not typical for it, in contrast to various bandages, shirt-fronts, plastrons, hoods, masks and other large elements of the pattern.

Spreading

Plovers are found in a wide variety of open landscapes from the arctic tundra to deserts and highlands, due to the leading role of the visual analyzer, in search of food they lead a predominantly diurnal lifestyle, nocturnal species are rare.

reproduction

They nest in separate pairs, less often in diffuse colonies. Plover nest is a small hole in the ground, often without bedding. The number of eggs in a number of species has been reduced from the usual 4 to 3 or even 2 eggs for waders. The shape of the eggs is typical for waders - with a well-defined sharp end, the color of the shell is standard - a varying protective background with dark spots of varying intensity. Both partners incubate, in a few species - only the female, in species with inversion of sex roles - the male. At the nest and brood, many species are very restless and even aggressive, with screams they fly into violators of the boundaries of the territory, beat with their paws. Incubation lasts 3 - 4 weeks. From the first days of life, they are able to feed themselves, adults only warm and protect them, take away the approaching enemy, pretending to be wounded. In northern plovers, adults fly off even before the juveniles take flight; in lapwings, young birds wander and fly away together with their parents. Sexually mature from the end of the first - second year of life.

Several species of lapwings and plovers have adapted well to the neighborhood with humans. following the open agricultural landscapes, they penetrated deep into the forest zone; nesting is known on gravel flat roofs of buildings.

• subfamily lapwings (Vanellinae)
  • lapwing genus (Vanellus)
    • pygalitsa (V. vanellus)
    • long-toed lapwing (V. crassirostris)
    • yellow-winged lapwing (V. malabaricus)
    • Javan lapwing (V. macropterus)
    • tricolor lapwing (V. tricolor)
    • masked lapwing (V. miles)
    • blacksmith piebald (V. armatus)
    • African Spur Lapwing (V. spinosus)
    • river lapwing (V. duvaucelii)
    • black-crested lapwing (V. tectus)
    • black-headed lapwing (V. melanocephalus)
    • grey-headed lapwing (V. cinereus)
    • adorned lapwing (V. indicus)
    • white-headed lapwing (V. albiceps)
    • Senegalese Wattled Lapwing (V. senegallus)
    • lesser black-winged lapwing (V. lugubris)
    • Black-winged Pigalit (V. melanopterus)
    • crowned lapwing (V. coronatus)
    • red-breasted lapwing (V. superciliosus)
    • lapwing (V. gregarius)
    • White-tailed Pigalit (V. leucurus)
    • cayenne lapwing (V. cayanus)
    • southern lapwing (V. chilensis)
    • Andean lapwing (V. resplendens)

• plover subfamily (Charadriinae)
  • genus Red-knee Plovers (Erythrogonys)
    • red-legged plover (E. cinctus)
  • genus Plover (Pluvialis)
    • golden plover (P. apricaria)
    • brown-winged plover (P. fulva)
    • American Plover (P. dominica)
    • tules (P. squatarola)
  • plover genus (Charadrius)
    • Maori plover (C. obscurus)
    • necktie (C. hiaticula)
    • membranous bellweed (C. semipalmatus)
    • Ussuri plover (C. placidus)
    • little plover (C. dubius)
    • Wilson's plover (C. wilsonia)
    • noisy plover (C. vociferus)
    • Madagascar plover (C. thoracicus)
    • Santaelen plover (C. sanctaehelenae)
    • shepherd plover (C. pecuarius)
    • three-banded plover (C. tricollaris)
    • forbes plover (C. forbesi)
    • song plover (C. melodus)
    • chestnut plover (C. pallidus)
    • sea ​​plover (C. alexandrinus)
    • white-fronted plover (C. marginatus)
    • red-headed plover (C. ruficapillus)
    • Malaysian plover (C. peronii)
    • Javan Plover (C. javanicus)
    • collared plover (C. collaris)
    • two-band plover (C. bicinctus)
    • Bunting Plover (C. alticola)
    • Falkland plover (C. falklandicus)
    • short-billed plover (C. mongolus)
    • thick-billed plover (C. leschenaultii)
    • Caspian plover (C. asiaticus)
    • eastern plover (C. veredus)
    • mountain plover (C. montanus)
    • plover (C. modestus))
    • crunch (C. morinellus)
  • Genus Hooded Plovers (Thinornis)
    • red-headed plover (T. rubricollis)
    • Chatham shore plover (T. novaeseelandiae)
  • genus Australian desert plovers (Elseyornis)
    • Australian desert plover (E. melanops)
  • genus red-throated plovers (Oreopholus)
    • red-throated plover (O. ruficollis)
  • genus hook-nosed plover (Anarhynchus)
    • hook-nosed plover (A. frontalis)
  • genus diadem plovers (Phegornis)
    • diadem plover (P. mitchellii)

Under the golden plover is meant a bird that easily tolerates temperature changes and cold climates in particular. She is not endowed with a fluffy and elongated tail, unlike relatives. The plover lives in Iceland, in this country the local people believe that the feathered individual signals the imminent approach of spring. A migratory bird does not differ in its large size, however, it flies quickly. Let's take a look at everything related to this breed variety.

View features

1. Individuals of the presented group belong to the charadriiformes. They belong to the genus of plovers and the family of plovers. Experts specified that today there are about 4 varieties of individuals. Golden birds belong to the southerners, they live in the corresponding territory.
2. These birds are not large in size, they are rather medium in size. Individuals grow to almost 30 cm with a body weight (maximum) of 210 gr. According to the wingspan, the indicators vary between 65-75 cm.
3. According to their external characteristics, it may seem that these birds are clumsy. They have a small round head, thin, as if unstable legs, and a massive physique. However, in reality, plovers are agile and fast.
4. As for the number of these individuals, about 4 thousand heads live in the open spaces of our homeland. When the migratory period begins (autumn, spring), about half a thousand individuals fly over Russia.
5. The population is declining as hunting develops, as well as the development of new lands by man. There are fewer places for birds to build nests for their offspring. Due to the fact that the range is shrinking, this variety was listed in the Red Book.

habitation

1. These birds prefer to live in wetlands, mountainous parts, in the tundra and in wastelands. They are very common in Europe, in its northern territory. For wintering they go to the south side, as well as to the British Isles.
2. Often individuals are found in England, Iceland and even Siberia. It is interesting that this species is practically not found in Central Europe, it can be said that in this part the population of individuals has greatly decreased.
3. Behavior can be observed for a long time, especially if the birds are in the coastal shallows. When the tides come in, these areas give in to flooding, and then after low tide, you can find a lot of food here. Birds do this.

Description

1. The color of the body depends on the territory of residence of individuals, as well as their gender and age category. The shade of plumage changes throughout existence. In the upper part, namely the areas of the tail, neck, head and back, the feathers have a brownish-gray plumage with golden markings. It helps individuals to merge with the environment, disguising themselves from enemies.
2. When mating games begin, individuals of the male sex are transformed. Their black feathers are framed with a white border. A dark spot originates in the throat area, which stretches through the abdominal region to the tail zone. Such a contrast attracts birds of the opposite sex and helps to determine which individual is in front of the eyes.
3. The female representatives also have a speck of a dark tone in the abdominal section. However, it is rather loose than dense and patterned. Coloring lasts until the end of the mating season, usually the second half of August. With the passage of time, the feathers become dull, replaced by winter attire.
4. When the nesting period begins, there is still an apron on the chest and abdomen. But at the beginning of autumn, the feathers replace each other, the bird is completely ready for flight and wintering.
5. Juveniles have a different plumage pigmentation. The chicks in the abdominal part are covered with the most delicate whitish feathers. On the back there are golden-gray markings with stripes of white tone. In young animals, the color is yellow in the abdomen and brisket. Dark spots are found on this part.

1. It is worth noting that plovers will not be able to compete, for example, with a nightingale. However, these birds have a charming song with many interesting sounds. When the male starts to sing, he thereby attracts the female. This is called tokenization.
2. During the mating season, the male rises high into the air and begins to lek. At the same time, he beautifully and widely flaps his wings. We can say that a beautiful marriage song always consists of two parts (verses). In the first case, the male tries to make beautiful and rather complex whistles.
3. This part can be called leisurely and the most beautiful. Here the sounds are repeated many times. At the same time, pauses can be seen between them. The second part is a little rushed. The sounds are non-stop. At the same time, the whistles are quite interesting.
4. When individuals begin to worry in their home, the whistle may resemble a sad and annoying intonation. In this case, you can notice monotonous, monosyllabic and multiple sounds. It is with the same cries that individuals call to each other when they are in a flock.

Nutrition

1. Individuals have a fairly varied diet. The main part of the menu of such birds is worms, insects and snails. Such food in abundance can be obtained in the ground. Often, the presented birds prefer dragonflies, various larvae, spiders and beetles.
2. Also, plovers are often interrupted by medium-sized locusts. When the season of migration comes, such birds often make stops for rest. At this time, they mainly feed on crustaceans and all kinds of mollusks. As for plant foods, it is present in a small amount in the diet of plovers. Birds eat marsh berries, seeds and green plants.

Lifestyle

1. Separately, it is worth mentioning that individuals mainly live in colonies. At the same time, other species of birds are also present in such flocks. Often there are snails and curlews. Birds return to nesting sites in early spring.
2. In most cases, plovers arrange their nests in the ground in the form of depressions. Often, birds build their homes at the foot of pines and on marshy hummocks. It is worth noting that birds avoid grassy areas and water bodies nearby.
3. Among other things, birds are in no hurry to settle down on dried lands, where all vegetation has practically disappeared. Almost all individuals under consideration return to last year's nesting sites. Also in the spring, the mating season begins, and pairs are formed.
4. Birds go to get food in the daytime. If there is not enough food, such individuals may well go hunting in the evening. Birds begin to migrate to their usual habitats from early spring to mid-April. Birds migrate to warmer climes in November.

Golden plovers reach sexual maturity and travel to nesting sites in their second year of life. As for the younger individuals, they wander all summer from one place to another. After building a nest, birds line it with a thick layer of down and plant material. A clutch can contain up to 4 eggs.

Video: golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria)

The group includes birds of small and medium size, with relatively short legs and a short but strong pigeon-type beak. The anterior part of the upper jaw of such a beak is convex, and its main part is somewhat depressed, and the nostrils open in this depressed part of the beak. The wings of all plovers are long, sharp, strong. Typical representatives are plovers and plovers.

brown-winged plover/ Charadrius dominicus

Brown-winged plovers nesting in Asia winter in the coastal strip of East Africa, along the coasts of South and Southeast Asia, in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. In the east, the wintering area of ​​brown-winged plovers covers the Hawaiian and Marquesas Islands. To get to the Hawaiian Islands from the nearest parts of the land (from the Aleutian Islands), brown-winged plovers must fly 3300 km over the sea, and they have nowhere to sit down to rest. This is perhaps the largest non-stop flight of birds that is known. From the Hawaiian Islands to the Marquesas, another 3000 km. It has been calculated that if a brown-winged plover flies at a speed of 26 m / s (i.e., approximately 94 km / h) and makes 2 flaps of its wings every second, then in order to reach the Hawaiian Islands, it must fly without rest for 36 hours and make 252 000 flaps of wings non-stop! Brown-winged Plovers of North America fly straight east to Labrador, then turn south, many flying over the sea to the Bahamas and Antilles. This is not the destination of the journey. Further, brown-winged plovers fly to wintering grounds located in the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay. Back in spring, brown-winged plovers fly in a different way - along the mainland, through Central America to the north.

golden plover/ Charadrius apricarius

In addition, the golden plover inhabits Finland and the Scandinavian Peninsula, nests in the Baltic States, Denmark, the Netherlands, England and Iceland. In our country, the golden plover is a migratory bird, in England it is partially sedentary. Golden plovers spend the winter partly already in England, but mainly in the Mediterranean countries (European and African). Individual individuals of the golden plover remain for the winter in Transcaucasia, penetrate in winter to the Persian Gulf and partly to the western shores of the Hindustan peninsula. During wintering, golden plovers keep in fields, dry and wet pastures, and in Algeria they are found in the same flocks with lapwings, spreading there south to the very desert. On the mud of the sea coast, they are much less common than tules. In February, golden plovers leave their wintering grounds, in early April they can be observed in the south, and in April - May they fly across the mainland. On nesting sites in the tundra, golden plovers appear at the earliest at the end of May, more often in the first half of June. During the spring migration, golden plovers stop for feeding in the steppe areas, and in the forest zone in moss swamps and burnt areas. For nesting, Golden Plovers choose moist hummocky areas of the tundra, sedge and moss bogs in river and lake valleys. In the forest-tundra, they nest in forest clearings. In the Baltic, their nesting habitats are raised bogs. Pairing takes place a few days after arrival. The mating flight begins immediately, accompanied by cries repeated throughout the day. The male golden plover flies up and describes circles in the air, evenly and rather slowly flapping its wings, even soaring for some time. Suddenly, he begins to rapidly flutter his wings, then descends to the female, and both birds start running side by side, sometimes running quite a considerable distance. If pairs nest close to each other, excited males scream and fly even harder, but hostile actions do not occur between them: often birds of different pairs feed in close proximity. To build a nest, golden plovers choose an elevated, drier place - a flat hummock, a half-rotted fin log, etc. In Iceland, the bird nests in the bushes, but more often still in an open place. The nest of a bird is a shallow hole with a very small litter, where 4 eggs are laid, as an exception, there are 5 eggs, sometimes 3 and very rarely 2. Egg sizes: 48-55 x 33-38 mm. Their color is light, yellowish brown, often with a dark red tint. The eggs are covered with dark brown and pale gray spots. Both members of the nesting pair incubate. Incubation lasts 27 days. Usually, golden plover chicks are born almost at the same time, but it happens that the last chick hatches from the egg 48 hours later than the first. In this case, the male takes the older chicks out of the nest before other chicks appear. At first, after the chicks hatch, golden plovers energetically and selflessly lead away from the nest. Then the old birds usually stay on large mounds, constantly emitting an alarming, somewhat mournful whistle, and the young ones feed within the limits of their parents' view. At the first alarm signal from their parents, they hide. In July, golden plovers begin to gradually gather in flocks and begin to fly away in mid-August. In the autumn migration, golden plovers in the agricultural zone stay mainly on fallow and winter fields, and in spring they can often be seen on winter and spring shoots. In the fields, golden plovers feed almost exclusively on click beetle larvae (wireworms). What the golden plovers eat in the tundra is not known, but in the raised bogs of Estonia they eat slow moving leaf beetles, wireworms, elephants and ground beetles. At the end of summer, these plovers also eat berries. Moulting in golden plovers proceeds approximately as in thules. However, birds nesting in the southern parts of the range (for example, in the Baltic states) start nesting before they have completed their prenuptial molting, in mixed winter-summer plumage. Golden plovers arrive in the tundra, having managed to completely molt into the breeding attire.

The golden plover cannot boast of a bright long tail or exotic fabulous plumage. But this migratory bird is expected and loved in many countries with a harsh climate. For example, in Iceland it is believed that she brings spring on her wings. With the return of flocks of golden plovers, the onset of heat is associated.

Short description

The golden plover is a bird from the order Charadriiformes. The order includes many families united by the name Plovers, and the genus Plovers includes at least 4 species. Specifically, the golden plover, in Latin Pluvialis apricaria, is classified as a southern subspecies.

The golden plover is not very large in size. The length of her body usually does not exceed 29 cm. The maximum weight that has been recorded is 220 g. The wingspan of a bird is from 65 to 76 cm. The golden plover looks a little awkward. The bird has a small rounded head, a massive body and elongated thin legs.

Color

The color of a bird changes throughout life. The upper side (head, neck, back and part of the tail) is gray-brown with variegated golden patches. Such plumage helps the golden plover to merge perfectly with the surrounding nature, hiding from enemies. During the mating season, males appear ornaments of black feathers, bordered by a white contrasting stripe. A black spot can begin on the throat, just under the beak, and stretch through the entire abdomen to the very tail. Contrasting colors highlight males and attract females. The female, like the male, also has darker plumage on the abdomen. But it is not so dense and black, so it is not so noticeable.

The breeding color lasts for males almost until the end of August. Gradually it fades, being replaced by a "winter" feather. In nesting time (from mid to late June) there is still a beautiful black apron, and before departure (early September), the change of outfit is completely completed.

The young golden plover is colored slightly differently. In chicks, the abdomen is covered with a white delicate feather. And the back is gray-golden, with thin white stripes. Juveniles have a uniformly yellow color of the breast and belly with small dark scales. Young males do not have a black apron.

The golden plover acquires an adult color in a year. At this time, only the condition of the flight and tail feathers distinguishes the young from the old relatives. Older ones are somewhat worn.

In a bird whose photo was taken in flight, the difference in color of the upper and lower parts of the wing is clearly visible. In the golden plover in breeding plumage, and in winter color, the lower part of the wing is white, with brownish feathers at the very end.

Spreading

Golden plovers prefer open swampy areas, mountain meadows, wastelands or tundra. Distribution area - Northern Europe. Birds winter in the British Isles and on the Western and Southern coasts of Europe. In fact, it is found from the territories of Iceland and Great Britain, to the center of Siberia. In Central Europe, the bird has almost disappeared.

In general, it is most convenient to observe birds from the Plover family on wattled coastal shallows. These areas of land are flooded during high tides, and after low tides a large amount of food remains on them.

What do they eat

The diet of this species of birds is very diverse. The main menu includes insects, worms and snails. This food can be found in large quantities on the ground. The golden plover eats beetles, spiders and various insects in large numbers. It can snack on medium-sized specimens of locust. Stopping to rest during migration, the golden plover feeds on molluscs and crustaceans. Plant foods are also present in the diet, but in small quantities. These can be seeds, green plants and marsh berry species.

Lifestyle

Golden plovers often live in colonies, which include representatives not only of their own species, but also of others. It can be curlews or snails. The species returns to nesting areas at the height of snowmelt. The nest of the bird is organized in the recesses of the ground. Most often they master marshy mounds (hummocks) or the foot of pines. Places are chosen non-grassy, ​​avoid the proximity of shrubs and damp watery areas. However, very dry lands with sparse vegetation are also not to the liking of golden plovers. Many plovers return to the last year's nesting area. The period of mating and pair formation is spring.

Birds fly out for fishing during the day, but if there is little food, then golden plovers can hunt in the evening.

The spring migration of Golden Plovers to their native places takes place from March to the second part of April. In autumn, birds migrate to warmer climes in September - November.

What is the voice of the golden plover?

Of course, the golden plover will not compete with the nightingale, but its song is full of a peculiar charm. The song of the male is called displaying. It rises high into the air and currents, evenly flapping its wings. The marriage song always consists of two couplets-parts. In the first part, the male emits separate disyllabic whistles. This is a beautiful and unhurried part, which is repeated many times with small stops. The second part of the current is more hasty, and the whistles in it sound without gaps.

If the bird is worried in the nest, then the whistle acquires an annoying sad intonation. In this case, the sounds are monosyllabic, repeated and monotonous. With the same monosyllabic whistles, golden plovers call to each other in a flock.

reproduction

The southern golden plover begins nesting at 1-2 years of age. Many one-year-old birds roam from place to place all summer. After choosing a place for the nest, the birds line it with a thick layer of plant material. The female lays 4 eggs, the interval between which can be 2-4 days. The height of the eggs is about 52 mm, their color is yellow-brown. In this case, brown spots are located closer to the blunt edge of the egg.

The family of plovers will sit on the masonry for 30 days. Male and female do this in turn. Then chicks appear, which from the first days begin to show independence. Small birds, the photo of which causes an explosion of tenderness, in fact, can immediately get their own food. They need parental supervision more to protect them from predators. I must say that golden plovers are brave birds! They selflessly lead predators away from the nest with chicks, pretending to be wounded. At the same time, they make sure that the distance between them and the predator remains small so that he does not lose interest and does not return to the nest.

Number and conservation measures

The number of the southern golden plover within Russia does not exceed 2 thousand pairs. During the periods of spring and autumn migration, about 500 individuals cross the territory of our country. The decline in the number of golden plover is due to shooting and the disappearance of nesting sites.

Since the range of the golden plover is limited, and the number is falling, the bird is listed in the Red Book of Russia.

In the swamps, you can often hear the alarming, slightly dreary whistle of plovers. With the help of these sounds, birds not only communicate with each other, but also warn each other of danger. Bird report with video and photo

Detachment - Charadriiformes

Family - Charlottes

Genus/Species - Pluvialis apricaria. Golden Plover (another name is Sivka)

Basic data:

DIMENSIONS

Length: 26-30 cm, male and female of the same size.

Wingspan: 67-76 cm.

Wing length: 17-20 cm.

Weight: 170-250 g.

BREEDING

Puberty: from 1 year.

Nesting period: May June.

Carrying: 1, but if the nest floods, it happens again.

Number of eggs: 3-4.

Incubation: 28-31 days.

The chicks are on the wing: from 4 weeks.

LIFESTYLE

Habits: golden plover (see bird photo) nests in colonies.

Food: insects, small invertebrates, berries.

RELATED SPECIES

The brown-winged plover also belongs to the plover family.

Many golden plovers fly to Great Britain and the Mediterranean countries for the winter, but part of the population remains on the coast of the North Sea. During migrations, large flocks of these birds stop in fields, meadows and pastures for feeding.

BREEDING

At the beginning of the nesting period, golden plovers change their plumage. Their inconspicuous plumage acquires a bright mating color. The chest of the male is covered with dark feathers, above which there are white stripes on the sides, and the upper part becomes golden. After returning from their wintering grounds, the birds find partners. Pairs are saved for life. The task of the male is to identify and protect the territory suitable for building a nest. Having received it, the male digs several shallow holes in the ground with his beak. The female chooses the most convenient of them and arranges a nest in it. At the end of the courtship dance, the male descends to the ground next to the female and they run together for some time. The female expands the selected hole, lines it with grass and after 3 weeks lays 3-4 eggs in it. The eggs are alternately incubated by both birds, replacing each other in an interesting way: sometimes the male sits in the nest during the day, and the female sits in the evening, or they regularly change during the day. After 28-31 days, the chicks hatch, which grow very quickly and soon accompany their parents on foraging trips. Adult birds protect chicks busy looking for food. Monthly golden plovers can fly, and a year later, having reached puberty, they create their own families.

WHERE Dwells

The golden plover nests in the swamps of the taiga zone. Many nesting sites of the plover are located in the high tundra of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In summer, there are many insects - food for birds. Several bird flocks that nest in Central Europe have established a settlement in northern Germany. In winter, flocks of plovers can be seen on the stubble of fields and even on lands affected by flooding.

WHAT DOES IT FEED

When the parents go in search of food, the chicks are left alone. Since the nest is located on the ground, they also go out to look for live food: insects, centipedes and larvae. When one of the parents sits on the eggs, he spends the other day and night hunting. In winter, the main food of golden plovers are worms, and in the summer-autumn season - berries and insects.

FLIGHTS

In some parts of its range, golden plovers are migratory birds. During flights, birds gather in flocks of 50 to 5,000 individuals. In mid-August, golden plovers begin to depart. Birds whose nesting sites are in the north set off on their way to the UK and the Mediterranean countries, from where they return only next spring. A small number of golden plovers remain in the north of the continent and winter in more southern areas, close to nesting sites.

Before the autumn migration, golden plovers molt and "dress" in a warm winter outfit, devoid of dark marks on the throat and chest.

• The golden plover outwardly resembles birds from the stork order, but it rarely walks on water.
• Defending the territory, the plover often fights with the gull, which usually loses because of the inequality of forces. Sometimes the plover, in order to distract the attention of the predator from the nest, pretends that her wing is broken.
• Some representatives of plovers during long flights overcome thousands of kilometers without respite.
• The male and female plover often share the chicks between themselves, and then each feeds "his own".

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE GOLDEN PLATE. DESCRIPTION

Female: very similar to the male, only without black markings on the bottom of the body.

Male: cheeks, throat and the entire lower part of the body are black, especially prominent during the mating season. The upper side of the body is brown, almost black, with small and frequent golden specks. In winter, black feathers on the underside of the body disappear, plumage becomes whitish. In general, the winter outfit is one-color.

Eggs: the female lays 3-4 light eggs with dark brown and pale gray spots.

Nest: a depression in the ground is laid out by the female and the male with grass.

- Habitat of the golden plover

WHERE THE GOLDEN PLOVER LIVES

Breeds in Iceland, Scandinavia, Great Britain, Ireland, northern Germany, the Baltic States and Russia. Winters in Great Britain and Mediterranean countries (both European and African).

PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION

The number of northern populations of the plover is quite stable, while the southern populations are gradually decreasing due to the reduction of the range.

Golden plover. Video (00:00:40)

Golden Plover / Pluvialis apricaria / Golden Plover / Sivka Zvichayna. Video (00:01:39)

The lower reaches of the Tiligulsky estuary near the village of Koshary (Odessa region, Ukraine). September 2014
Lower Tiligul Liman near the village Koshary (Odessa region, Ukraine). September 2014