The ringed plover is a small, dumpy, short-legged wading bird. It is brownish grey above and whitish below. It has a orange bill, tipped with black, orange legs and a black-and-white pattern on its head and breast. In flight it shows a broad white wing-stripe. Breeds on beaches around the coast, but has also now breeding inland in sand and gravel pits and former industrial sites. Many UK birds live here all year round, but birds from Europe winter in Britain and birds from Greenland and Canada pass through on migration.
Key ID Features
Pale, sandy brown upper parts contrast with clean white under parts and throat separated by a broad dark neck ring.
Sandy brown cap with black and white striped forehead and a black eye-mask with a white stripe above it.
Orange legs with a matching short, black-tipped bill, duller in the winter.
Juveniles similar but lack full neck ring and orange bill and legs, which are black and grey respectively.
Bold white wing bars visible in flight.
Overview
Scientific name: Charadrius hiaticula
Family: Plovers and lapwings (Charadriidae)
Where to see them:
You can see this species on suitable beaches and coasts around the UK - look for it at RSPB coastal reserves. Inland, look for it at flooded gravel pits.
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Flies, spiders, marine worms, crustaceans, molluscs.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
For more information click here
Photographer: Tim Tapley
