Pluvialis
| Pluvialis | |
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| American golden plover | |
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| Genus: | Pluvialis Brisson, 1760
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Pluvialis is a genus of plovers, a group of wading birds comprising four species that breed in the temperate or Arctic Northern Hemisphere. The genus name is Latin and means relating to rain, from pluvia, "rain". It was believed that they flocked when rain was imminent.[1]
In breeding plumage, they all have largely black underparts, and golden or silvery upperparts. They have relatively short bills and feed mainly on insects, worms or other invertebrates, depending on habitat, which are obtained by a run-and-pause technique, rather than the steady probing of some other wader groups. They hunt by sight, rather than by feel as do longer-billed waders.
Species in taxonomic order
- European golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria
- Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva
- American golden plover, Pluvialis dominica
- Grey plover or black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
The American and Pacific golden plovers were formerly considered conspecific as "lesser golden plover".[2]
References
- ^ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p. 311. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
- ^ Sangster, George; Knox, Alan G.; Helbig, Andreas J. & Parkin, David T. (2002): Taxonomic recommendations for European birds. Ibis 144(1): 153–159. doi:10.1046/j.0019-1019.2001.00026.x