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Latin name

Charadrius hiaticula

Family

Plovers and lapwings (Charadriidae)

Overview

The ringed plover is a small, dumpy, short-legged wading bird. It is brownish grey above and whitish below. It has a orange bill, tipped with black, orange legs and a black-and-white pattern on its head and breast. In flight it shows a broad white wing-stripe. Breeds on beaches around the coast, but has also now breeding inland in sand and gravel pits and former industrial sites. Many UK birds live here all year round, but birds from Europe winter in Britain and birds from Greenland and Canada pass through on migration.

Where to see them

You can see this species on suitable beaches and coasts around the UK - look for it at RSPB coastal reserves. Inland, look for it at flooded gravel pits.

When to see them

All year round

What they eat

Flies, spiders, marine worms, crustaceans, molluscs

Estimated numbers

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Find out more

• Videos

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)

4 illustrations 1234

Adult summer

Adult winter

Ringed plover - juvenile

Ringed plover in flight

Similar birds

Little ringed plover