Key information
In summer it has silver and black spotted upperparts, a black face, neck and belly. In winter, it loses the black feathers and takes on a browny-grey look. In both plumages, the rump is white and in flight in winter it shows distinctive black 'armpits'. Like most plovers it stands very upright and tends to run and then suddenly stop to feed. It is generally seen in small numbers, although flocks can form when there is a high tide.
What they eat:
Shellfish and worms.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 28cm
- Wingspan:
- 77cm
- Weight:
- 240g
Population:
- UK wintering:
- 43,000 birds
- UK passage:
- 70,000 birds in spring
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Grey plover (summer plumage)
Grey plover (winter plumage)
