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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Wilson’s Plover

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Name

Wilson's Plover

Scientific Name

(Charadrius wilsonia)

Why they are special:
  • A small, sandy-colored shorebird perfectly camouflaged against Florida’s beaches.

  • Known for its bold black breast band and active foraging behavior along the waterline.
Size and color:
  • Small plover, 6.5–7 inches long with a wingspan of 13–14 inches.

  • Sandy-brown upperparts, white underparts, black breast band, black eye stripe, orange legs, and short orange-black bill.
Seasonality in Florida:
  • Year-round resident, more abundant during winter and migration along coasts.
Habitat:
  • Sandy beaches, dunes, tidal flats, and estuarine shorelines.

  • Often seen running quickly along wet sand, probing for small invertebrates.
Diet:
  • Feed on crustaceans, insects, and small mollusks, typically by sight.
Behavior:
  • Nest in shallow scrapes above the high tide line, often well-camouflaged.

  • Highly territorial during breeding; will perform distraction displays to protect nests.
Conservation notes:
  • Populations are sensitive to human activity, especially during nesting season.

  • Protected on many beaches with seasonal closures and signage.
Best time to see:
  • Year-round, especially during low tide along Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic beaches.
Fun Fact:
  • Wilson’s Plovers are excellent parents, with both adults taking turns incubating eggs and leading chicks to safety along the sand.
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