Mountain plovers are a unique species of shorebird found in the western parts of North America. They inhabit dry, flat landscapes and nest on gravelly slopes or shortgrass prairies. Mountain plovers are medium-sized plovers with pale brown upperparts and white underparts. Their most distinctive feature is the black patch on their foreheads and around their eyes. Mountain plovers are well-adapted to their arid habitats and have several behavioral and anatomical characteristics that aid their survival in harsh environments. In this article, we will explore the appearance, size, coloration, distinguishing features, and other visual aspects of mountain plovers. Understanding the look of these birds helps birdwatchers properly identify them in the field.
Size
Mountain plovers are medium-sized shorebirds, measuring around 9-10 inches (22-25 cm) in length. Their wingspan ranges from 20-24 inches (51-61 cm). In terms of weight, these plovers average 2.3-3.4 oz (65-95 g). This makes them slightly smaller and slimmer than many other common North American shorebirds. For example, mountain plovers are smaller than killdeer or long-billed curlews. Their slim bodies and medium size helps them blend into their open, flat habitats on the prairies and plains of the western states and provinces.
Coloration
Mountain plovers display cryptic plumage that allows them to camouflage on the dry grasslands where they live and nest. Their upperparts are light tan to pale brown. This provides good camouflage against the dirt and dry vegetation of their environment. Their underparts are white from their throats down to their bellies, with some buffy streaking on the breast. The white belly makes them harder to spot when viewed against the sky from below. Their flanks also have some brown barring or streaks for additional camouflage in the grass.
Mountain plovers have black legs, bills, and eyes. But their most unique and distinctive marking is the black patch of feathers that covers the area around their eyes, forehead, and top of head. This dark facial mask strongly contrasts with their light-colored body plumage. It may help break up their profile and disguise the front of their heads when viewed from above. Their facial markings make mountain plovers easy to identify compared to other similar shorebirds.
Plumage Variations
Mountain plover plumage can vary somewhat between individuals and seasons. Birds may appear more brightly colored during the breeding season. Their black facial mask also becomes more pronounced in spring. In winter, the colors of mountain plovers are often duller and browner. Immature birds also display some differences, with a buffy wash of color to the head and breast. But in all conditions, the distinctive black facial pattern remains prominent.
Distinctive Features
In addition to their unique black facial markings, mountain plovers have other distinctive anatomical features:
- Large dark eyes for scanning the landscape
- A thin, slightly downcurved bill used for picking insects from dry soil
- Long wings in relation to their body size
- Long legs and a slim profile compared to other plovers
- Short tail feathers
- No webbing between their toes compared to semi-palmated plovers
Similar Species
The look of mountain plovers differs from other North American plovers and shorebirds in a few key ways:
- Killdeer – Larger in size, with two black breast bands. No dark facial markings.
- American golden plover – Larger with gray rather than brown upperparts. Dark legs instead of light colored.
- Semipalmated plover – Smaller with partial webbing between toes. No dark facial mask.
- Snowy plover – Smaller with darker legs. No defined facial markings.
The unique black facial pattern of mountain plovers makes them relatively easy to distinguish from other similar species once observers are familiar with their appearance.
Behavioral Differences
In addition to visual differences, mountain plovers exhibit some behaviors that differ from other shorebirds:
- Nest on open slopes and grasslands rather than shorelines
- Form dispersed nesting colonies rather than dense flocks
- Adults use distraction displays to lure predators away from nests
- Make long foraging flights to find food
- Often roost in groups near livestock and prairie dog towns
These behaviors reflect mountain plover adaptations for survival in dry, interior grasslands away from coastal areas frequented by most shorebirds.
Geographic Range
Mountain plovers breed in parts of the western Great Plains, Great Basin, and southwestern U.S. Some key areas include:
- Eastern Colorado
- Wyoming
- Montana
- Western Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Northern Arizona
- Utah
- Nevada
During winter, mountain plovers migrate south to southern California, Arizona, Texas, and parts of northern Mexico. They are rare east of the Rocky Mountains. Their appearance in a given region provides a clue about their expected geographic range.
Habitats
The look and adaptations of mountain plovers reflect the dry, open terrains that they inhabit. Their pale plumage blends into arid landscapes dominated by dried grasses, scrub vegetation, and exposed soils. Typical mountain plover habitats include:
- Shortgrass prairies
- Plains and flats with sparse vegetation
- Disturbed areas around prairie dog towns
- Fallow and abandoned agricultural fields
- Overgrazed rangelands
- Arid shrub-steppe landscapes
- Dry salt flats and evaporative wetlands
Plovers avoid dense vegetation and heavily wooded areas. Their appearance is designed for life on open grassy plains and slopes with low vegetation.
Unique Adaptations
To thrive in their dry, open habitats, mountain plovers have evolved several specialized anatomical and behavioral adaptations:
- Camouflage plumage – Their pale brown upperparts and white underparts provide camouflage against dry grass and soil.
- Facial mask – The black mask may help break up their facial profile and disguise nests.
- Large eyes – Allow excellent long-distance vision across open terrain.
- Specialized feathers – Feathers resist water absorption and help them stay cool.
- Fat storage – They build fat reserves for times when insect food is scarce.
- Water conservation – Their capacity to minimize water loss helps them survive in arid regions.
- Dispersed nesting – Breeding in loose colonies reduces competition for food.
These specialized traits allow mountain plovers to thrive in dry, sparse landscapes where they nest and forage. Their appearance reflects adaptations that aid survival in this extreme environment.
Conclusion
In summary, mountain plovers are medium-sized shorebirds with pale brown upperparts, white underparts, and distinctive black facial markings around their eyes and foreheads. They are slimmer in build than many shorebirds, with long wings, legs, and thin bills adapted for life in open country. Their size, coloration, and anatomical features are designed to provide camouflage and aid survival in the arid prairies, plains, and desert environments of western North America where they breed and nest. Observing mountain plovers reveals specialized adaptations that allow these unique birds to thrive in some of the continent’s harshest habitats. Their distinctive look makes them easily identifiable and reflects their behavioral and evolutionary adaptations to specific environments and lifestyles.