Image via Macaulay Library
Piping Plover
- Scientific name
- Charadrius melodus
- Family
- Charadriidae
- Conservation status
- Vulnerable
- Habitat
- Coast beach
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The Piping Plover, Charadrius melodus, is a small, migratory shorebird known for its distinctive camouflaged plumage and preference for wide, sandy beaches. Historically, these birds were nearly driven to extinction in the early 20th century due to the fashion industry's demand for bird feathers, which led to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 to curb over-hunting and protect the species' dwindling populations.
The physical design of the Piping Plover is evolutionarily optimized for coastal survival, characterized by its rounded wing shape and notched tail, which facilitate rapid, short-distance maneuvers across shoreline habitats. Its pale, sand-colored appearance is a primary defensive trait intended to blend into the coastal environment, a strategy that has become a focal point for modern conservation efforts aimed at protecting nesting grounds from human encroachment.
Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Piping Plover
Piping Plover is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Piping Plover on collecto.rs?
Piping Plover doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Piping Plover?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Piping Plover catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Piping Plover is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
