Piping+Plover+2010

By: Lizzy K.

The Piping Plover is a small shorebird that nests and feeds by coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America. It has yellow orange legs, a black ring around the neck, and a black line between both eyes. Its bill is orange with a black tip. The population has been estimated to be in the 6,000’s. The Piping Plover will search for food near the water’s edge. Their diet is mostly insects, crustaceans, and marine worms. The Piping Plover usually begin mating in the middle of April. They can have from 2 to 4 eggs each year. Predators such as cats, crows, raccoons, and foxes may eat the eggs or young chick.

These amazing birds are endangered mostly because of habitat loss and predators. We can help save them by not loitering where they eat, not building where they live, and reserving special ranges for them to live in safely away from predators.