Key information
The golden plover is a medium-sized plover with a distinctive gold and black summer plumage. In winter the black in replaced by buff and white. They typically stand upright and run in short bursts. Very wary on the breeding grounds. In winter they form large flocks which fly in fairly tight formation with rapid, twinkling wingbeats.
What they eat:
Worms, beetles and insects.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 26-29cm
- Wingspan:
- 67-76cm
- Weight:
- 160-280g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 38,000-59,000 pairs
- UK wintering:
- 420,000 birds
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Golden plover (summer plumage)
Golden plover (juvenile)
