The plover is a small shorebird with a distinct call that can be heard near beaches, lakes, and wetlands. Understanding what the plover sounds like can help bird watchers identify this bird in the wild.
Plovers are a group of shorebirds in the family Charadriidae. There are over 60 species of plovers worldwide. Some of the most common North American plover species include the Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Piping Plover, and Snowy Plover.
Plovers are typically found along coastlines, beaches, lakeshores, and wetlands. Their habitats provide good nesting areas and plenty of small invertebrates for the birds to eat. Plovers build simple nest scrapes on the ground, where they lay speckled eggs that camouflage well.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of plovers is their call. Each plover species has a slightly different call, though they share some similarities. Understanding the plover’s call can help birders identify the birds when they are flying overhead or hiding in vegetation.
Killdeer Call
The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a common and widespread plover species found throughout North America. It prefers open habitats near water but also thrives in human-altered landscapes.
The Killdeer has a loud, piercing call that is often described as sounding like “kill-dee.” The bird got its name from this distinctive vocalization. Here is how the Killdeer call can be described:
- Loud and shrill
- Two syllables “kill-dee” or sometimes “dee-dee”
- Call is often repeated multiple times in a row
The Killdeer will call when alarmed or when communicating with other birds. It is especially vocal when defending its nesting territory. The Killdeer also uses its “kill-dee” call to distract potential predators that get too close to its nest.
Audio of Killdeer Call
Here is an audio clip of the Killdeer’s typical “kill-dee” call:
As you can hear, the Killdeer call is loud, distinct, and easily carries over long distances. This makes the vocalization very recognizable in the field.
Semipalmated Plover Call
Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) are plovers that breed in the far north of North America and winter along the southern U.S. coasts. Their name comes from the partially webbed toes on their feet.
Here is how the Semipalmated Plover’s call can be described:
- A soft, whistled “pee-lo” or “peet-lo”
- Call is often repeated
- Tone rises on second syllable
The Semipalmated Plover is not quite as vocal and loud as the Killdeer. Its call is softer and lighter sounding. However, it can still be heard at some distance by attentive birders. These plovers may call to stay in contact with their mate or when alarmed.
Audio of Semipalmated Plover Call
Here is an audio clip of the whistled call of the Semipalmated Plover:
The rising pitch on the second syllable creates the recognizable “peet-lo” sound of this species.
Piping Plover Call
The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is an endangered plover that inhabits beaches along the Atlantic Coast and Great Lakes. It gets its name from its plaintive, piping call.
The Piping Plover’s call can be described as:
- A series of clear, whistled “peep” or “pee-eep” notes
- Call is often repeated quickly
- Tone remains steady
Piping plovers make this call year-round. It is used to communicate with other birds in the flock and when the plover is disturbed. The call is not overly loud but carries well in open environments.
Audio of Piping Plover Call
Here is a recording of the Piping Plover’s call:
The Piping Plover’s call has an urgent, piping quality as it strings together series of “peeps.” This distinguishes it from other plover species.
Snowy Plover Call
Snowy Plovers (Charadrius nivosus) live along the West Coast of North America. As their name suggests, they are plovers with bright white plumage.
The Snowy Plover has a high, mellifluous call that sounds like:
- A pleasant, whistled “tuu” or “too” note
- Call is repeated
- Tone is soft and uniform
This plover’s call can sound a bit like a mourning dove. It uses the call to communicate with other birds in its flock and when defending nesting territory.
Audio of Snowy Plover Call
Listen to the musical call of the Snowy Plover in this recording:
The Snowy Plover’s gentle, whistled call stands out from the harsher or more piercing calls of other plover species.
Identifying Plovers by Call
Once you become familiar with the different plover calls, you can learn to identify species just by sound. Here is a summary of the calls:
Species | Call Description |
---|---|
Killdeer | Loud “kill-dee” notes |
Semipalmated Plover | Soft, whistled “peet-lo” |
Piping Plover | Series of clear “peep” notes |
Snowy Plover | Mellifluous “tuu” or “too” notes |
Pay attention to the volume, pitch, number of syllables, and quality of the call. With practice, you will be able to pick out the distinctive call of each species.
When are Plovers Vocal?
Plovers tend to be most vocal during the breeding season when they are defending nesting territories. However, they will call year-round for various reasons:
- Communicating with their mate
- Alarm calls when disturbed by predators
- Staying in contact with the flock
- Warning other birds of danger
Dawn and dusk are good times to listen for vocalizations since plovers may be more active. Wetlands and beaches are the best places to hear plover calls.
Mimicking the Plover Call
Skilled birders can learn to mimic plover vocalizations to draw the birds out into the open. Here are some tips for mimicking calls:
- Listen to audio recordings to learn the exact sounds
- Start softly and subtly to see if a bird responds
- Use your voice, whistling, or a call device
- Imitate the rhythm and number of notes
- Practice makes perfect!
Be patient and don’t overuse calls to avoid stressing the birds. With practice, mimicking calls can be an effective birding technique for spotting plovers.
Conclusion
In summary, plovers have a wide range of calls, from the Killdeer’s loud “kill-dee” to the Snowy Plover’s soft, whistled “tuu.” Paying attention to details like number of syllables, tone, pitch, and quality will help birders learn each species’ distinct vocalizations. Listening for plover calls provides a great way to locate and identify these coastal and wetland birds in the field.