Appearance

●Medium-sized plover with a long, hefty bill.

●They are about 22-25 cm long and have a wingspan of about 50-55 cm.

●They are stocky birds with long legs and a thick, heavy bill. In breeding plumage, the male has grey back and white underparts. The breast, forehead, and nape are chestnut, and there is a black eye mask.

○The female is duller, and juvenile birds lack the chestnut, apart from a hint of rufous on the head.

●Non-breeding birds and immatures are sandy brown above and white below, with a white throat and “eyebrows.”

●Unlike some Lesser Sand-Plovers, Greater sand-plovers never have a black boundary around the throat.

Habitat and Behavior

●Breeds in high-elevation areas, favour arid, open habitats, sometimes near water.

●The eggs are incubated by both parents for about 24 days. The chicks are precocial, meaning that they can hatch and run around within a few hours of hatching.

●It breeds in the semi-deserts of Central Asia and winters in coastal areas of East Africa, South Asia, and Australasia.  Breeding season ranges from April to June in different regions.

●It is a strongly migratory species, travelling long distances to reach its breeding and wintering grounds.

●During winters, it migrates to coastal mudflats and estuaries along the shores of the Indian and Australian Oceans.

●Typically found in mudflats and sandy shores.

Diet

●They feed on a variety of small invertebrates, including crustaceans, insects, and mollusks. They forage by walking or running along the shore or on mudflats, picking food items from the surface.

Conservation Status

●According to the IUCN Red List, the Greater sand-plover is classified as "Least Concern," indicating that it is not currently facing a high risk of extinction. This status implies that the species has a widespread and relatively stable population.

●The Greater Sand-Plover is not currently considered to be threatened or endangered. However, its populations are declining in some areas due to habitat loss and degradation.

Additional Information

●It is a very social bird, and flocks can be seen feeding and roosting together.

●It is a relatively noisy bird, with a variety of calls, including a loud trill and a soft piping sound.

●It is a good swimmer, and will sometimes take to the water to escape predators or to reach food items.

●It is a long-lived bird, with some individuals known to live for over 20 years.

●It is a valuable member of the ecosystems in which it lives, and it plays an important role in the food chain.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements in the context of the “Greater sand-plover” bird:

1. They are about 22-25 cm long and have a wingspan of about 50-55 cm.

2. They are stocky birds with long legs and a thick, heavy bill.

3. Greater sand-plovers never have a black boundary around the throat.

4. The eggs are incubated by both parents for about 24 days.

5. According to the IUCN Red List, the Greater sand plover is classified as "Least Concern".

How many of the above statement is/are correct?

A) Only two

B) Only three

C) Only four

D) All five

Answer: D

Explanation:

●        The Greater sand plover is a medium-sized plover, measuring around 22-25 cm in length with a wingspan of 50-55 cm. It has a sturdy build, long legs, and a robust bill. Breeding males display a grey back, white underparts, chestnut breast, forehead, and nape, along with a black eye mask. Females are duller, lacking the chestnut hues. During non-breeding periods, they are sandy brown above and white below, with a distinctive white throat and eyebrows. Unlike Lesser Sand-Plovers, they lack a black boundary around the throat.

●        These birds breed in high-elevation arid regions, nesting from April to June. Both parents incubate the eggs for approximately 24 days. The chicks are precocial, capable of moving shortly after hatching. They migrate extensively, wintering in coastal regions of East Africa, South Asia, and Australasia, particularly mudflats and estuaries along the Indian and Australian Oceans. They often feed alongside other shorebirds, especially Lesser Sand Plovers, consuming various small invertebrates like crustaceans, insects, and mollusks. Despite facing habitat loss, the Greater sand-plover is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List, indicating a generally stable and widespread population.