Appearance
The largest plover found in Finland, the Grey Plover can also be distinguished by its large head and sturdy beak. The feathers on its back are dark grey with white edges (beige edges on young birds). Grey Plovers have distinctive black axillaries visible beneath their wings in flight.
Size
Length 26–29 cm, wingspan 56–63 cm, weight 135–227 g.
Nest
In a shallow depression in tundra habitat. Few materials used, mainly lichen and fragments of dwarf shrubs and grasses.
Breeding
4 eggs laid in June, incubated by both parents for 26–27 days. Young leave nest very rapidly and soon learn to forage for food, able to fly within about 23 days.
Distribution
Found in Finland only as a passage migrant. Nests in arctic tundra regions. Nearest breeding areas to Finland are in the Kanin Peninsula in northern Russia. During migration may be seen resting along muddy shores or on small, remote islands.
Migration
Autumn migration August–November, returning north May–June. Tends to fly at very high altitudes on migration. Winters along African coasts as far south as South Africa.
Diet
Invertebrates.
Calls
In flight a three-note whistling call “pee-oo-ee”.

Grey Plovers have similar plumage to Golden Plovers, but can be distinguished by the more extensive pale markings on the neck and cap, the greyer mottled colouring on their backs, and the absence of the white stripe that runs all the way along the flanks of the Golden Plover. Adults underparts are black as far as their legs, and then white behind their legs.

Young Grey Plovers appear more uniformly pale in colouring. Their backs are covered with evenly spaced yellowish brown lateral patterning dotted with black tips to their feathers. Narrow dark streaks may be discernible on their yellowish brown underparts.

Three distinguishing features can be observed on Grey Plovers in all plumages when the birds are in flight: a white wing stripe, the white base to their tail, and black patches on their underwings. They have dark brown irises and black beaks and legs.

Grey Plover

Taxonomy

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