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Montana Animal Field Guide

Montana Field Guides

Black-bellied Plover - Pluvialis squatarola

  • Black-bellied Plover
  • Black-bellied Plover, At Shoreline
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Global Rank: G5
State Rank: SNA

Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 4
PIF: none
 

General Description
Black belly with white crown; upper body speckled with dark (black and brown) and light (cream, gray and white) spots. Short and thick bill along with large neck. Sexual difference unusual in shorebirds.

General Distribution
Montana Range



Western Hemisphere Range

 


Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana
Number of Observations: 124

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

Breeding
(direct evidence "B")

Breeding
(indirect evidence "b")

No evidence of Breeding
(transient "t")

Overwintering
(regular observations "W")

Overwintering
(at least one obs. "w")


 

(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)



Migration
In the Bozeman area migration occurs from September 10 to October 5, and peaks on September 18. Spring occurrences are infrequent (Skaar 1969).

Habitat
Migrants are likely to be found along lakes or reservoirs, but sometimes on plowed fields or short meadows or pastures (Johnsgard 1986).

Food Habits
Diet consists of insects, invertebrates, bivalves and crustaceans.

Reproductive Characteristics
Nests built on ground. Single brooded species lays eggs in May. Four eggs per brood; incubation time 26-27 days.

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Citation for data on this website:
Black-bellied Plover — Pluvialis squatarola.  Montana Field Guide.  Retrieved on February 9, 2010, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_ABNNB02010.aspx
 
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