Golden Plover - description, habitat, interesting facts

A golden plover is understood to be a bird that rather easily tolerates temperature fluctuations and a cold climate in particular. It is not endowed with a fluffy and elongated tail, unlike its congeners. The plover lives in Iceland, in this country the local people believe that the feathered individual signals the imminent approach of spring. The migratory bird is not distinguished by its large size, however, it quickly flies. Let's take a look at everything related to this breed species.

Features of the form

1. Specimens of the group represented are charadriiformes. They are ranked among the genus of the plovers and the family of the plovers. Experts clarified that today there are about 4 species of individuals. Golden birds belong to the Southerners, they live in the corresponding territory.
2. These birds do not differ in large dimensions, they are rather medium in size. Individuals grow to almost 30 cm with a body mass (maximum) of 210 grams.By wingspan indicators vary in the range of 65-75 cm.
3. According to its external characteristics it may seem that these birds are clumsy. They have a small head of a round format, thin as if unstable legs, a massive constitution. However, in reality, the plovers are agile and fast.
4. As for the number of these individuals, about 4 thousand heads live in the open spaces of our country. When the migration period begins (autumn, spring), about half a thousand individuals fly over Russia.
5. The population is declining as hunting develops, as well as the development of new land by humans. Birds have fewer places to build nests for posterity. Due to the fact that the area is reduced, this species was listed in the Red Book.

Habitat

1. These birds prefer to live in wetlands, mountainous areas, in the tundra and in wastelands. They are very common in Europe, in its northern territory. On wintering go to the south side, as well as the British Isles.
2. Often individuals are found in England, Iceland and even Siberia. It is interesting that this species is practically not located in Central Europe, it can be said that in this part the population of individuals has greatly decreased.
3. Behavior can be observed long enough, especially if the birds are in the coastal shallows. When the tides begin, these zones are amenable to flooding, and then after low tide you can find a lot of food here. Birds are doing this.

Description

1. The color of the corpus depends on the area of ​​residence of individuals, as well as their gender and age category. The hue of the plumage varies throughout its existence. In the upper part, namely the area of ​​the tail, neck, head and back, feathers have brownish-gray plumage with golden marks. It helps individuals to merge with the environment, masking themselves from enemies.
2. When marriage games begin, individuals of the male gender are transformed. Their black feathers are framed by a white border. In the neck area, a dark spot originates, which stretches through the abdominal region to the tail zone. This contrast attracts birds of the opposite sex and helps to determine which individual is in front of his eyes.
3. Female representatives also have a dark spot in the abdominal section. However, it is rather loose than dense and patterned.Coloring lasts until the end of the mating season, usually the second half of August. Over time, feathers become dull, replaced by winter attire.
4. When the nesting period begins, there is still an apron on the chest and abdomen. But at the beginning of autumn the feathers replace each other, the bird is completely ready for migration and wintering.
5. Juveniles have a different pigmentation plumage. Chicks in the abdominal part are covered with the most delicate whitish feathers. In the back there are golden-gray markings with stripes of white tone. In young color yellow in the abdomen and brisket. Dark spots are found on this part.

Plover's voice

1. It should be noted that the plovers will not be able to compete, for example, with a nightingale. However, these birds have a charming song with many interesting sounds. When the male begins to sing, he thereby attracts the female. This is called overcurrent.
2. During the mating season, the male rises high into the air and begins to flow. At the same time, he beautifully and widely flaps his wings. It can be said that a marriage beautiful song always consists of two parts (couplets). In the first case, the male tries to make beautiful and rather complex whistles.
3. This part can be called unhurried and the most beautiful. Here the sounds are repeated many times. At the same time between them you can notice the pause. The second part is somewhat hasty. Sounds occur without stopping. The whistles are quite interesting.
4. When individuals begin to worry in their dwelling, the whistle may resemble a sad and annoying intonation. In this case, you can notice monotonous, monosyllabic and multiple sounds. Exactly the same shouts of individuals overlap when they are in the pack.

Nutrition

1. Individuals have a fairly diverse diet. The main part of the menu of such birds are worms, insects and snails. Such food in abundance can be obtained in the ground. Often represented by birds prefer dragonflies, various larvae, spiders and beetles.
2. Also, the plovers are often interrupted by a small locust. When the season of migrations comes, such birds often make stops for rest. At this time, they mainly feed on crustaceans and all kinds of mollusks. As for plant foods, it is present in a small amount in the diet of plovers. Birds eat swamp berries, seeds and green plants.

Lifestyle

1. Separately, it is worth mentioning that individuals mostly live in colonies. At the same time in such flocks there are also other species of birds. Often there are stitches and curlews. Birds return to their nesting sites in early spring.
2. In most cases, plovers have their nests in the ground in the form of recesses. Often, birds build their homes at the foot of pines and on marshy bumps. It is worth noting that the birds avoid grassy areas and water bodies nearby.
3. In addition, the birds are not in a hurry to settle on the dried up land, where all the vegetation has practically disappeared. Almost all the individuals considered return to last year's nesting sites. Also in the spring begins the mating season, and pairs are formed.
4. To get food birds go in the daytime. If the feed is not enough, such individuals may well go hunting in the evening. Birds begin to migrate to their usual habitats from early spring to mid-April. Feathers fly to warm countries in November.

Golden plovers reach sexual maturity and go to placesnesting in the second year of life. As for the younger individuals, they wander from one place to another all summer. After the nest has been built, the birds lining it with a thick layer of fluff and plant material. There can be up to 4 eggs in a clutch.

Video: Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)