Kentish Plover

Camouflages well in sandy areas

Scientific name	Charadrius alexandrinus
English name	Kentish Plover
Japanese name	白千鳥
Class	Aves
Order	Charadriiformes
Family	Charadriidae
Genus	Charadrius
Species	alexandrinus
Full length	Approximately 17cm
Distribution	Inhabits Honshu and southward year-round

Kentish Plover Characteristics and Morphology

A plover slightly smaller than a starling. Its white and brown body color is thought to be protective coloration to blend in with the surrounding sandy areas.
A gray eyeline runs from the beak to the eye, and the area above the eye is white. The brown color on the back of the head is dark. There is a white band around the neck, and the black band in front of the chest is interrupted. The back is gray, and the abdomen is white. The legs are slightly long and lead-colored. The tail feathers are tapered.

Male

The brown color is darker than the female. The brown color becomes especially strong in summer plumage.
The crown of the head is colored brick red. Also, the eyeline is clearer than in females.

Female

Lighter brown compared to males.

Song

Sings "piru piru piru" in a high voice. They also sing when taking off.

Kentish Plover Ecology

Habitat

Inhabits sandy beaches, tidal flats, and riverbeds.

Food

Eats polychaetes and aquatic insects.

Life Cycle

Breeds in sandy areas. They dig a small hole in the ground, lay stones and shells underneath to make a nest, and lay eggs.

Kentish Plover Photos

Kentish Plover Photos are introduced.
Tap the photo to open the detail page.

The back is grayish-brown, and the abdomen is white.

Kentish Plover Behavior

Forms flocks of several dozen birds. When an enemy approaches, they feign injury, which is a behavior to distract attention away from the chicks.

Kentish Plover Information

Naming

The scientific name "alexandrinus" means "of Alexandria" and is derived from the fact that it was named from a specimen near Alexandria.

Kentish Plover Found Locations

Higashiyoka Tidal Flat, Saga Prefecture

A flock of more than ten birds flew to the grassy area near the Higashiyoka Tidal Flat in Saga Prefecture. They closely resembled the color of the ground, making them difficult to spot without binoculars. There was an impression that there were many pale-colored juveniles. They didn't seem to notice us, and were preening and relaxing. After a while, they took off while singing.