Grey Plover

Migrant and winter visitor in small numbers. Exclusively coastal, staying within the intertidal zone except when roosting at high tide.

The largest Pluvialis plover, heavily spangled upperparts lack strong yellow tones. Bill looks heavy and thick. In flight, obvious white wingbar, rump and dark-barred tai from above. Below, black ‘armpits’ (axillaries) and white underwing diagnostic. Ad B: (Apr-Aug) Black face and breast (but not flanks) separated from black and white-spangled upperparts by white border . Males more richly coloured than females. Ad Nb/Imm: (Aug – Mar) Head rather uniform plain grey with dark spot on rear ear coverts. Upperparts spangled grey and white; breast dully streaked grey, throat and entire belly, flanks and vent white (cf. Pacific Golden Plover, which has a much smaller white belly patch). Juv: (Aug – Nov) Similar to Ad Nb but more neatly streaked below and spangled above.

Pacific Golden Plover is smaller, is much less white on rear underparts and usually yellower above. From a distance, can be confused with other large pale species such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Great Knot and Nordmann’s Greenshank. Rounded body, short bill and plover feeding action can be useful pointers.

Usually feeds alone or in widely spaced groups, using typical plover stop-walk-peck action. Prefers the tideline rather than foraging higher up the beach. Roosts in dense flocks.

Occurs widely along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and on the coasts of Johor and Pahang. In Bornean Malaysia, occurs in largest numbers in western Sarawak.

Most frequently seen between September and mid-April.