American golden plover
(Pluvialis dominicus)

Habitat
Breeds on Arctic tundra, especially in low vegetation on rocky slopes. Winters in grazed grasslands. On migration found in prairie, pastures, tilled farmland, golf courses, airports, mudflats, shorelines, and beaches.

Range
Widely distributed; breeding and migrating across North America and wintering in southern South America.

Eats
Invertebrates, berries, leaves, and seeds

Feeds
Feeds in short vegetation or open areas.

Moves
Moves by stop-run-stop, scanning and capturing prey at stops. Captures prey by single peck or series of pecks.

Threats
Loss of nesting habitat.

Reproduction
Nest is a scrape in ground, lined with lichens, dry grass, or leaves. Lays four eggs that are white to buff, heavily spotted and splotched with dark brown and black. Young are covered with down and able to walk soon after hatching, feeding themselves within one day.

Presence in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Migratory

Notes
The American Golden-Plover has a long, circular migration route. In the fall it flies offshore from the East Coast of North America nonstop to South America. On the return in the spring it passes primarily through the middle of North America to reach its Arctic breeding grounds.

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Seabirds List