Siberian Sand-Plover — Australian Bird Identification Guide | BetterBirding

Bird guideSiberian Sand-Plover

Medium-sized plover with a pale throat, brown back, and white belly.

Spot this species Read on Wikipedia

⚠️WA: Endangered

At a glance

FamilyPlovers and Lapwings

SizeMedium

RarityCommon

HabitatIn breeding plumage, note the less extensive black mask of Siberian, usually with a white spot on the forehead.

Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from October to March.

Range map

Range map

Occurrence window

200approx hotspots

15364approx records

4states

Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Non-breeding and immature birds are brownish above and white below, with a variable white forehead and eyebrow. Compare with slightly larger Greater Sand-Plover; Siberian is proportionally smaller-headed and darker-legged, and its shorter bill has a slight bulge at the tip. Smaller Kentish Plover can be similar in non-breeding plumage; Siberian is taller and longer-legged, without Kentish’s strong white neck band. Very difficult to distinguish from Tibetan Sand-Plover, especially nonbreeding and immature birds, though identification can often be presumed by range. In breeding plumage, note the less extensive black mask of Siberian, usually with a white spot on the forehead. In nonbreeding plumage, look for a generally stronger breast band and faint brown markings on the flanks in Siberian. In areas of overlap many birds best left unidentified. Breeds mainly in Russian Far East; winters on coastal mudflats and beaches from Taiwan to Australia.

Behavior

Breeding adults have a black mask, white forehead, and a bright orange chest and neck; males average brighter than females.

Gallery

Regional timing

New South Wales

Peak: January1,162 records

Western Australia

Peak: September35 records

Northern Territory

Peak: September to October3,313 records

Queensland

Peak: October to March10,428 records

South Australia

Peak: November to February120 records

Tasmania

Peak: March4 records

Victoria

Peak: January217 records

Commonly confused with

Greater Sand-PloverAnarhynchus leschenaultiiBreeding adults have a dark mask and orangish chest, neck, and forehead; females duller than males. Non-breeding birds and immatures are sandy brown above and white below, with a white throat and “eyebrows.” Often confused with Lesser Sand-Plover, and best distinguished when both present; look for larger size, heavier and longer bill, paler legs, and larger-headed appearance. Additionally, unlike some Lesser Sand-Plovers, Greater never has a black boundary around the throat. Winters on coastal mudflats and estuaries.→Black-bellied PloverPluvialis squatarolaIn nonbreeding season, more uniformly drab gray with whitish belly. Juveniles are crisp and neatly spangled above, often with a soft golden hue. Often confused with golden-plovers. In all seasons, note Black-bellied's stockier shape, thicker bill, and diagnostic black “armpits” in flight. Often in flocks. Common and widespread across the globe, especially on coastlines; less common inland. Breeds on Arctic tundra.→Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaBreeding plumage shows black belly and face with mottled white sides and undertail coverts and a white stripe down the side of the neck that continues onto the sides of the chest and flanks. Nonbreeding plumage is duller grayish-brown overall with a variable golden wash, often quite bright. Juveniles are crisp and neatly spangled above, washed with gold on the upperparts. At all seasons, note more slender shape, slightly smaller bill, and brighter golden tones than Black-bellied Plover, along with grayish underwing in flight. Extremely similar to American Golden-Plover; Pacific is slightly shorter-winged, longer-legged, and larger-billed, but these features are difficult to judge. Juvenile Pacific is usually brighter than American, especially on the face and neck. Pacific found more regularly on beaches and mudflats than American, but much overlap; also note range. Breeds on Arctic tundra from Alaska to Russia. Winters extensively across Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand; small numbers found in fall on west coast of U. S.→