Pluvialis
| Pluvialis | ||||||||||
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Lapwing ringed plover ( P. squatarola ) in splendid plumage |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the subfamily | ||||||||||
| Pluvialinae | ||||||||||
| MacGillivray , 1852 | ||||||||||
| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||
| Pluvialis | ||||||||||
| Brisson , 1760 |
Pluvialis are a genus of birds in the plover family.
features
The species of the genus have a lapwing-like physique. They have a high chest and a steeply sloping back. The neck is longer than that of Charadrius - species , the small head is flattened on the upper side. The species have a thin, slightly thickened beak and large black eyes surrounded by a dark eyelid ring. The belly, the chest, the front neck and the face are black in the magnificent dress. These dark areas are framed by a white band, it extends from the forehead over the neck to the chest, in some species from there to the tail. The top of the head, the neck and the wings are darkly spotted on a yellow-gray background. In the plain dress these plovers are gray or brownish on the upper side, the belly like the face and the throat are light. The youth dress is very similar to the plain dress. The legs and beak are always slate gray.
Way of life
The representatives of this genus are mostly migratory birds . They usually make whistling, sometimes chirping sounds. They poke for molluscs , crabs , insects and worms in the sand, in shallow water or in the moss . Plant parts such as fruits, seeds and leaves make up the smaller portion of the diet. The clutch is mainly incubated by the female. The young are refugees .
Habitat and Distribution
The Pluvialis species inhabit the tundras of North Asia and North America , they can also be found in northern Europe . They winter in Europe, Central Asia, the USA and northern South America .
species
A distinction is made between the following types :
- Golden Plover ( P. apricaria )
- Lapwing Ringed Plover ( P. squatarola )
- Siberian golden plover ( P. fulva )
- Northern Ringed Plover ( P. dominica )
The Siberian golden plover is considered by some authors to be a subspecies of the golden plover.
literature
- Karel Stastny: Birds Handbook and Guide to the Birds of Europe. Bechtermünz Verlag m Weltbild Verlag GmbH, Augsburg 1997.
