Oystercatchers, Stilts, Avocets, and Plovers Trey Scott Bio 586 presentation.

Oystercatchers, Stilts, Oystercatchers, Stilts, Avocets, and PloversAvocets, and Plovers

Trey ScottTrey Scott

Bio 586 presentationBio 586 presentation

TaxonomyTaxonomy

• Kingdom: AnimaliaKingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: ChordataPhylum: Chordata

• Class: AvesClass: Aves

• Order: Charadriiformes = most Order: Charadriiformes = most widespread bird order widespread bird order

Taxonomy cont’dTaxonomy cont’d

• Family: Haematopodidae Family: Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)(Oystercatchers)

• Family: Recurvirostridae (Stilts & Family: Recurvirostridae (Stilts & Avocets)Avocets)

• Family: Charadriidae (Plovers)Family: Charadriidae (Plovers)

Haematopodidae Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)(Oystercatchers)

• 11 species word-wide11 species word-wide

• 3 in North America3 in North America

• no record in Kentucky by KDFWRno record in Kentucky by KDFWR

• Genus: Genus: HaematopusHaematopus

OystercatchersOystercatchers

• all have long, laterally compressed billsall have long, laterally compressed bills• plumage either entirely dark or dark above with plumage either entirely dark or dark above with

white underpartswhite underparts• gray legsgray legs• habitat is along shorelines (usu. rocky) at habitat is along shorelines (usu. rocky) at

temperate latitudes around the worldtemperate latitudes around the world• favorite prey items are mussels, oysters, and favorite prey items are mussels, oysters, and

limpetslimpets• birds tend to be residents (non-migratory)birds tend to be residents (non-migratory)• are solitary nesters (not colonial), sometimes are solitary nesters (not colonial), sometimes

exist in groups of several pairexist in groups of several pair

Oystercatchers Oystercatchers • 3 species in North America 3 species in North America Eurasian Oystercatcher Eurasian Oystercatcher

: 1 record/accidental: 1 record/accidental American OystercatcherAmerican Oystercatcher

: Gulf of California, Pacific Coast of : Gulf of California, Pacific Coast of Mexico, Gulf Coast, Atlantic Mexico, Gulf Coast, Atlantic

Coast to Coast to Maine Maine Black OystercatcherBlack Oystercatcher

: Pacific Coast from Aleutian Is. To : Pacific Coast from Aleutian Is. To Baja PeninsulaBaja Peninsula

American OystercatcherAmerican Oystercatcher

American OystercatcherAmerican Oystercatcher

• largest oystercatcherlargest oystercatcher• length: 18-20 incheslength: 18-20 inches• wingspan: 30-36 incheswingspan: 30-36 inches• weight: approx. 1.4 poundsweight: approx. 1.4 pounds• clutch size 1-4 buff gray eggs often with brown specklesclutch size 1-4 buff gray eggs often with brown speckles• incubation 24-29 days (both incubate)incubation 24-29 days (both incubate)• young precocial/leave nest after a few days/fledge after 5 weeks young precocial/leave nest after a few days/fledge after 5 weeks • parental care from both parentsparental care from both parents• 1 brood/year1 brood/year• nest usually in sandy areas above high water mark and built by nest usually in sandy areas above high water mark and built by

both both • similar to Eurasian Oystercatcher but has brownish back/tail similar to Eurasian Oystercatcher but has brownish back/tail

instead of black back/tailinstead of black back/tail• will inhabit both rocky and sandy shorelineswill inhabit both rocky and sandy shorelines• uncommon to rare throughout rangeuncommon to rare throughout range

Black OystercatcherBlack Oystercatcher

Black OystercatcherBlack Oystercatcher

• length: approx. 17.5 incheslength: approx. 17.5 inches• wingspan: 30-35 incheswingspan: 30-35 inches• weight: 1.4 poundsweight: 1.4 pounds• clutch size: 1-4 pale buff olive eggs with black or brown clutch size: 1-4 pale buff olive eggs with black or brown

spotsspots• incubation 24-36 days by both parentsincubation 24-36 days by both parents• young precocial/leave nest shortly after hatching/fledge at young precocial/leave nest shortly after hatching/fledge at

30-35 days30-35 days• parental care from both parentsparental care from both parents• 1 brood/year1 brood/year• nest usually in pebbly rock above high water mark built by nest usually in pebbly rock above high water mark built by

bothboth• Dark brown/black coloration throughoutDark brown/black coloration throughout• Have been found to interbreed with American Oystercatcher Have been found to interbreed with American Oystercatcher

Research on OystercatchersResearch on Oystercatchers

• since these birds live along shorelines in temperate since these birds live along shorelines in temperate environments, oil spills can affect themenvironments, oil spills can affect them

• Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William SoundExxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound• Brad Andrews (OSU) analyzed the effects of persistent shoreline Brad Andrews (OSU) analyzed the effects of persistent shoreline

oil on breeding success and chick growth in Black Oystercatchers oil on breeding success and chick growth in Black Oystercatchers (AUK 116(3), 1999(AUK 116(3), 1999

• since birds forage along shoreline, their primary food source was since birds forage along shoreline, their primary food source was contaminatedcontaminated

• found that chicks reared on areas polluted by oil gained mass at a found that chicks reared on areas polluted by oil gained mass at a slower rateslower rate

• also found that birds on a whole foraged less in polluted areasalso found that birds on a whole foraged less in polluted areas• concluded that slower mass gain did not translate into lowered concluded that slower mass gain did not translate into lowered

fledgling success and that effects of oil spill were confined to fledgling success and that effects of oil spill were confined to certain locales and not throughout the Black Oystercatcher certain locales and not throughout the Black Oystercatcher population of Prince William Soundpopulation of Prince William Sound

Recurvirostridae Recurvirostridae (Stilts/Avocets)(Stilts/Avocets)

• seven species worldwideseven species worldwide

• three in North Americathree in North America

• shorebirds with extremely long legsshorebirds with extremely long legs

• members of this family have slightly members of this family have slightly decurved billsdecurved bills

• only one species occurs in Kentucky only one species occurs in Kentucky (Black-necked Stilt)(Black-necked Stilt)

StiltsStilts

• usually colonial (at least loosely)usually colonial (at least loosely)

• active nest defendersactive nest defenders

• legs are typically red in color and legs are typically red in color and very long: along with very long: along with Phoenicopteridae (flamingoes) have Phoenicopteridae (flamingoes) have the largest ratio of legs: body mass of the largest ratio of legs: body mass of all bird generaall bird genera

• belong to Genus belong to Genus HimantopusHimantopus

Black-necked StiltBlack-necked Stilt


• only stilt found commonly in North Americaonly stilt found commonly in North America

• seen occasionally in extreme western seen occasionally in extreme western Kentucky along Mississippi River and lower Kentucky along Mississippi River and lower Ohio riverOhio river

• Solitary, pairs, or small flocksSolitary, pairs, or small flocks

• Actively defend nest; will attack or splash Actively defend nest; will attack or splash water with wings for distractionwater with wings for distraction

• Feeds along shorelines in shallow water or Feeds along shorelines in shallow water or on shore on shore


• length: 14-15.5 incheslength: 14-15.5 inches• wingspan: 25-27 incheswingspan: 25-27 inches• weight: 5.9 ounces (legs 8-10 inches)weight: 5.9 ounces (legs 8-10 inches)• are monogamous/ loosely colonialare monogamous/ loosely colonial• are migratoryare migratory• nest on ground; nest a shallow depression built by bothnest on ground; nest a shallow depression built by both• clutch size: 3-5 yellow/buff eggs w/ brown or black splotchesclutch size: 3-5 yellow/buff eggs w/ brown or black splotches• incubation 22-25 days (both incubate)incubation 22-25 days (both incubate)• female incubates at night / male during dayfemale incubates at night / male during day• young are precocial and can feed themselves shortly after hatchingyoung are precocial and can feed themselves shortly after hatching• parental care by bothparental care by both• young fledge after 4-5 weeksyoung fledge after 4-5 weeks• 1 brood / year 1 brood / year • diet consists of insects, crustaceans, worms, fish, and some seedsdiet consists of insects, crustaceans, worms, fish, and some seeds• prefers freshwaterprefers freshwater

Avocets Avocets

• legs are long and gray in colorlegs are long and gray in color

• bill more strongly decurved than bill more strongly decurved than stiltsstilts

• belong to the genus belong to the genus RecurvirostraRecurvirostra

• American Avocet is only species American Avocet is only species found in North Americafound in North America

American AvocetAmerican Avocet


• has alternate plumages in breeding/non-breeding has alternate plumages in breeding/non-breeding seasonseason

• females look like males except for more females look like males except for more decurved billsdecurved bills

• fairly common west of the Great Plains, fairly common west of the Great Plains, uncommon in the Eastern U.S.uncommon in the Eastern U.S.

• overhunting in the 1800’s and early 1900’s overhunting in the 1800’s and early 1900’s decimated the populationdecimated the population

• now has federal protection and numbers are now has federal protection and numbers are stable and risingstable and rising


• length: 18-20 incheslength: 18-20 inches• wingspan: 27-38 incheswingspan: 27-38 inches• weight: 11.1 ouncesweight: 11.1 ounces• monogamous and loosely colonialmonogamous and loosely colonial• clutch size 3-4 olive colored eggs w/ brown and black splotchingclutch size 3-4 olive colored eggs w/ brown and black splotching• nest in shallow depression near water built by both sexesnest in shallow depression near water built by both sexes• incubation 22-29 days (both incubate)incubation 22-29 days (both incubate)• young precocial and leave nest soon after hatching and feed young precocial and leave nest soon after hatching and feed

themselvesthemselves• parental care by bothparental care by both• young fledge at 28-35 daysyoung fledge at 28-35 days• 1 brood / year1 brood / year• often feed in flocks of 100+ birdsoften feed in flocks of 100+ birds• diet primarily aquatic insects but also eats crustaceans and other diet primarily aquatic insects but also eats crustaceans and other

invertsinverts

Charadriidae (Plovers)Charadriidae (Plovers)

• 67 species wordwide67 species wordwide• 16 reported in North America16 reported in North America• pick food off of surface, do not probe, so bills are shortpick food off of surface, do not probe, so bills are short• two genera: two genera: PluvialisPluvialis and and CharadriusCharadrius• CharadriusCharadrius = winged plovers = winged plovers• all plovers use the “crippled bird” display to lure potential all plovers use the “crippled bird” display to lure potential

predators away from the nestpredators away from the nest• historically many N.A. species of plover were killed by historically many N.A. species of plover were killed by

market hunters; this has led to the decline in number of market hunters; this has led to the decline in number of several speciesseveral species

• plovers are migratory; some of the species fly 1000’s of plovers are migratory; some of the species fly 1000’s of miles to get from breeding grounds to wintering grounds miles to get from breeding grounds to wintering grounds and vice versaand vice versa

Plovers (Pluvialis)Plovers (Pluvialis)

• all have black chest, breast, bellyall have black chest, breast, belly• like the American Avocet members of like the American Avocet members of

Pluvialis Pluvialis have alternating coloration for have alternating coloration for breeding/ non-breedingbreeding/ non-breeding

• only three species found with regularity in only three species found with regularity in North AmericaNorth AmericaBlack-bellied PloverBlack-bellied PloverAmerican Golden PloverAmerican Golden Plover

Pacific Golden Plover (only on Pacific Coast)Pacific Golden Plover (only on Pacific Coast)

Black-bellied PloverBlack-bellied Plover


• breed along Arctic Coast of Alaska and Canada breed along Arctic Coast of Alaska and Canada (including Northern Territory Islands)(including Northern Territory Islands)

• largest of the North American Ploverslargest of the North American Plovers• are recorded sightings by KDFWR in Ballard and are recorded sightings by KDFWR in Ballard and

Henderson CountiesHenderson Counties• travels in flockstravels in flocks• tend to utilize tidal marshes and salt marshestend to utilize tidal marshes and salt marshes• Uses inland stopover points (like W. Ky) during Uses inland stopover points (like W. Ky) during

migration; this is a concern because these type of migration; this is a concern because these type of areas are decliningareas are declining

• Are uncommon (mostly) to common Are uncommon (mostly) to common


• length: 11.5-13 incheslength: 11.5-13 inches• wingspan: 22-25 incheswingspan: 22-25 inches• weight: 7.8 ouncesweight: 7.8 ounces• clutch size: 3-5 gray-green, whitish, or brown eggs with dark clutch size: 3-5 gray-green, whitish, or brown eggs with dark

brown spotsbrown spots• nest comprised of tundra moss primarily and is on groundnest comprised of tundra moss primarily and is on ground• nest started by male and finished by femalenest started by male and finished by female• incubation 26-27 days (both incubate)incubation 26-27 days (both incubate)• young precocial and are cared for by both parents for first two young precocial and are cared for by both parents for first two

weeks; after then by male onlyweeks; after then by male only• fledge after 23-35 daysfledge after 23-35 days• 1 brood/ year1 brood/ year• typical forage consists of marine worms, molluscs, insects, etc…typical forage consists of marine worms, molluscs, insects, etc…• monogamous breedersmonogamous breeders

American Golden PloverAmerican Golden Plover


• breed in Northern Canada from west Coast of breed in Northern Canada from west Coast of Hudson Bay along Arctic Coast to Bering Sea Coast Hudson Bay along Arctic Coast to Bering Sea Coast of Alaskaof Alaska

• migrate extremely long distances and can fly at a migrate extremely long distances and can fly at a rate of 60mph for long distancesrate of 60mph for long distances

• winters as far south as Argentinawinters as far south as Argentina• almost eradicated by market huntersalmost eradicated by market hunters• winter plumage is gray-brown above and gray winter plumage is gray-brown above and gray

belowbelow• South American winter range is losing habitat South American winter range is losing habitat • as a result birds are uncommon at bestas a result birds are uncommon at best• broad white stripe on forehead and thin black bill broad white stripe on forehead and thin black bill

help to separate from Pacific Golden Ploverhelp to separate from Pacific Golden Plover


• length: 10-11 incheslength: 10-11 inches• wingspan: 18-22.5 incheswingspan: 18-22.5 inches• weight: 5.1 ouncesweight: 5.1 ounces• clutch size: 3-4 cinnamon / buff eggs with black and brown spotsclutch size: 3-4 cinnamon / buff eggs with black and brown spots• nest on ground and composed primarily of tundra lichens, moss, and nest on ground and composed primarily of tundra lichens, moss, and

grassgrass• nest built by malenest built by male• incubation period 26-27 days by bothincubation period 26-27 days by both• young are precocial and abandon nest soon after hatchingyoung are precocial and abandon nest soon after hatching• parental care by bothparental care by both• young fledge after 21-24 daysyoung fledge after 21-24 days• monogamousmonogamous• 1 brood/ year1 brood/ year• feeds on grasshoppers, crickets, larvae, mollusks, and crustaceansfeeds on grasshoppers, crickets, larvae, mollusks, and crustaceans• at tundra breeding sites will often eat many crowberries in at tundra breeding sites will often eat many crowberries in

preparation for migrationpreparation for migration

Charadrius (ringed Plovers)Charadrius (ringed Plovers)

• most species in this genera have a most species in this genera have a ring or collar around their neckring or collar around their neck

• seven species are found in N.A. with seven species are found in N.A. with regularity (Piping Plover restricted)regularity (Piping Plover restricted)

• all N.A. species except Piping Plover all N.A. species except Piping Plover have no differentiation in seasonal have no differentiation in seasonal plumageplumage

Snowy PloverSnowy Plover


• only N.A. only N.A. CharadriusCharadrius besides Mountain Plover besides Mountain Plover with incomplete ring on neckwith incomplete ring on neck

• instead has dark brown spots near shoulderinstead has dark brown spots near shoulder• females and juveniles shoulder spots are lighter females and juveniles shoulder spots are lighter

than males, other than that they appear the samethan males, other than that they appear the same• snowy plovers like sandy, barren beaches; snowy plovers like sandy, barren beaches;

human disturbance often causes failed nestshuman disturbance often causes failed nests• populations are declining and is threatened in populations are declining and is threatened in

parts of its range and rare in almost all cases esp. parts of its range and rare in almost all cases esp. on Gulf Coaston Gulf Coast


• length: 6-7 incheslength: 6-7 inches• wingspan:13.5 incheswingspan:13.5 inches• weight: 1.4 ouncesweight: 1.4 ounces• mostly monogamous, but some males are polygamousmostly monogamous, but some males are polygamous• clutch size: 2-3 pale buff eggs with gray spots and clutch size: 2-3 pale buff eggs with gray spots and

scratchesscratches• nest is a shallow depression on the ground built by the nest is a shallow depression on the ground built by the

male and lined with debris by the femalemale and lined with debris by the female• incubation lasts 24-32 daysincubation lasts 24-32 days• young are precocial and fed by both parentsyoung are precocial and fed by both parents• 1-2 broods/ year1-2 broods/ year• some are residential but most migratesome are residential but most migrate• feed by chasing waves in and out and capturing small feed by chasing waves in and out and capturing small

crustaceans and small invertscrustaceans and small inverts

Wilson’s PloverWilson’s Plover


• often will run instead of fly to get away from often will run instead of fly to get away from disturbancesdisturbances

• plumage is similar except that males are slightly plumage is similar except that males are slightly darkerdarker

• are fairly common but habitat loss and human are fairly common but habitat loss and human disturbance are problems; human restriction on disturbance are problems; human restriction on occupied beaches helpsoccupied beaches helps

• similar to the Semipalmated Plover but has a similar to the Semipalmated Plover but has a heavier bill, pink feet, and a white eye stripeheavier bill, pink feet, and a white eye stripe

• the male makes several scrapes as a part of the male makes several scrapes as a part of courtship ritual and female then chooses onecourtship ritual and female then chooses one


• length: 7-8 incheslength: 7-8 inches• wingspan 14-16 incheswingspan 14-16 inches• weight: 1.9 ouncesweight: 1.9 ounces• clutch size: 2-3 buff colored eggs w/ brown and black blotchingclutch size: 2-3 buff colored eggs w/ brown and black blotching• nest a shallow depression on the beach or mudflat above the high nest a shallow depression on the beach or mudflat above the high

water mark; also found at river mouths and inletswater mark; also found at river mouths and inlets• are monogamousare monogamous• incubation lasts 23-25 days (both incubate)incubation lasts 23-25 days (both incubate)• young are precocial and leave nest soon after hatching and forage young are precocial and leave nest soon after hatching and forage

themselvesthemselves• young fledge after 21 days and receive parental are from both young fledge after 21 days and receive parental are from both

parentsparents• 1 brood / year1 brood / year• are migratoryare migratory• feed on small crustaceans, marine worms, mollusks, and aquatic feed on small crustaceans, marine worms, mollusks, and aquatic

larvaelarvae• winter in Central and South America along coastswinter in Central and South America along coasts

Semipalmated PloverSemipalmated Plover


• breed throughout Alaska and along Arctic coast of breed throughout Alaska and along Arctic coast of Canada, along Hudson Bay, and Labrador, Canada, along Hudson Bay, and Labrador, Newfoundland, and Nova ScotiaNewfoundland, and Nova Scotia

• single dark breast band combined with black cheeks single dark breast band combined with black cheeks and reduced white supercilium separate the and reduced white supercilium separate the Semipalmated Plover from both Wilson’s Plover and Semipalmated Plover from both Wilson’s Plover and the Killdeerthe Killdeer

• Migrate in flocks and are often seen just before Migrate in flocks and are often seen just before sundown roosting with their heads tucked beneath a sundown roosting with their heads tucked beneath a wingwing

• Plumage in both sexes is similar Plumage in both sexes is similar • was overhunted in the late 1800’s but has recovered was overhunted in the late 1800’s but has recovered

well and is common where it breeds and migrateswell and is common where it breeds and migrates


• length: 7 incheslength: 7 inches• wingspan: 14-15.25 incheswingspan: 14-15.25 inches• weight: 1.7 ouncesweight: 1.7 ounces• clutch size: 3-4 olive colored eggs with dark brown or black clutch size: 3-4 olive colored eggs with dark brown or black

markingsmarkings• nest is on ground near shore and is built by malenest is on ground near shore and is built by male• monogamous and somewhat colonialmonogamous and somewhat colonial• incubation lasts 23-25 days by both parentsincubation lasts 23-25 days by both parents• young are precocial and leave nest quicklyyoung are precocial and leave nest quickly• young can feed themselves and are cared for by both parentsyoung can feed themselves and are cared for by both parents• young fledge after 23-31 daysyoung fledge after 23-31 days• 1 brood/ year1 brood/ year• forage on shoreline for small mollusks, marine worms, eggs of forage on shoreline for small mollusks, marine worms, eggs of

marine animals, and small crustaceansmarine animals, and small crustaceans

Piping PloverPiping Plover


• winters along Gulf Coastwinters along Gulf Coast• breeds in Prairie Pothole Region as well as along breeds in Prairie Pothole Region as well as along

mid to north Atlantic Coastmid to north Atlantic Coast• has almost been eliminated in breeding grounds has almost been eliminated in breeding grounds

around the Great Lakesaround the Great Lakes• is a federally endangered speciesis a federally endangered species• similar to the Snowy Plover except it has orange similar to the Snowy Plover except it has orange

feet and an entire brown band around its neckfeet and an entire brown band around its neck• has a summer and winter plumage variationhas a summer and winter plumage variation• interior nesting sites have been adversely interior nesting sites have been adversely

affected by dams and channelizationaffected by dams and channelization


• length: 7.25 incheslength: 7.25 inches• wingspan: 14-15.5 incheswingspan: 14-15.5 inches• weight: 1.9 ouncesweight: 1.9 ounces• clutch size: 3-4 pale buff colored eggs with black and brown spotsclutch size: 3-4 pale buff colored eggs with black and brown spots• monogamous and loosely colonialmonogamous and loosely colonial• nests on ground near water and is built by bothnests on ground near water and is built by both• incubation lasts 26-28 daysincubation lasts 26-28 days• young are precocial but stay in the nest for 20-35 days when they young are precocial but stay in the nest for 20-35 days when they

fledgefledge• are fed and cared for by both sexesare fed and cared for by both sexes• 1 brood/ year1 brood/ year• during nesting season are territorial but otherwise are notduring nesting season are territorial but otherwise are not• forage on fly larvae, beetles, crustaceans and marine wormsforage on fly larvae, beetles, crustaceans and marine worms• often will forage on drier upper parts of beaches so that color often will forage on drier upper parts of beaches so that color

blends inblends in

Mountain PloverMountain Plover


• winters in San Joaquin Valley of California winters in San Joaquin Valley of California south into northern Mexico and Southern south into northern Mexico and Southern TexasTexas

• can be found mostly in drier, upland habitatscan be found mostly in drier, upland habitats• much of breeding areas have been much of breeding areas have been

converted to agricultureconverted to agriculture• also utilized excavation mounds from prairie also utilized excavation mounds from prairie

dog colonies to nest ondog colonies to nest on• as a result populations have declined and as a result populations have declined and

birds are uncommon at bestbirds are uncommon at best


• length: 9 incheslength: 9 inches• Wingspan: 17.5-19.5 inchesWingspan: 17.5-19.5 inches• weight: 3.6 ouncesweight: 3.6 ounces• clutch size: 2-4 olive buff eggs with many black marksclutch size: 2-4 olive buff eggs with many black marks• mostly monagamous but some males polygamousmostly monagamous but some males polygamous• nest is a depression often amid cacti or shrubbery and is built by nest is a depression often amid cacti or shrubbery and is built by

male; material added during incubationmale; material added during incubation• incubation lasts 28-31 days (both incubate)incubation lasts 28-31 days (both incubate)• male incubates first set, then female lays a second set and male incubates first set, then female lays a second set and

incubates theseincubates these• precocial young feed themselves and receive care from both precocial young feed themselves and receive care from both

parentsparents• young fledge at 33-34 daysyoung fledge at 33-34 days• 2 broods/ year2 broods/ year• forage on grasshoppers, beetles, flies, and cricketsforage on grasshoppers, beetles, flies, and crickets

KilldeerKilldeer

KilldeerKilldeer

• largest of the ringed plovers, also most largest of the ringed plovers, also most commoncommon

• only double banded plover in N.A.only double banded plover in N.A.• distinctive calldistinctive call• often seen on ballfieds and other large, flat often seen on ballfieds and other large, flat

expansesexpanses• red eye ring often brightred eye ring often bright• often return to same nest sight and same often return to same nest sight and same

matemate• can be upland as well shore orientedcan be upland as well shore oriented• recorded in 116 Kentucky Countiesrecorded in 116 Kentucky Counties

KilldeerKilldeer

• length: 9-10.5 incheslength: 9-10.5 inches• wingspan: 19-21 incheswingspan: 19-21 inches• weight: 3.2 ouncesweight: 3.2 ounces• clutch size: 3-5 buff eggs with brown and black spotsclutch size: 3-5 buff eggs with brown and black spots• nest is a depression on the ground built by the malenest is a depression on the ground built by the male• monogamous and solitarymonogamous and solitary• incubation lasts 24-28 days and both incubateincubation lasts 24-28 days and both incubate• young are precocial, feed themselves, and leave the nest soon young are precocial, feed themselves, and leave the nest soon

after hatchingafter hatching• receive care from both parents and fledge after 25 daysreceive care from both parents and fledge after 25 days• 2 broods/ year2 broods/ year• forage on insects almost exclusively from a wide array of habitatsforage on insects almost exclusively from a wide array of habitats• sexes similar in plumagesexes similar in plumage• northern population is migratory while southern birds are residentnorthern population is migratory while southern birds are resident

Oystercatchers, Stilts, Avocets, and Plovers Trey Scott Bio 586 presentation.

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Transcript of Oystercatchers, Stilts, Avocets, and Plovers Trey Scott Bio 586 presentation.