BirdGuides 73f428fb-f00b-414c-b007-5c883d9a5df0
Three small shorebirds form a confusing group which shares the same habitats. With similar markings of brown and white in winter and immaturity, and black breast-bands while breeding, they can often match each other at any age and season, and are frequently silent, even when flushed – they can pose a year-round conundrum.
Andy Stoddart comes to your assistance.
Adult Ringed Plover (Snæfellnes peninsula, Iceland, 17 June 2016). This portrait of a Ringed Plover shows off its suite of distinctive characters to perfection – a rather dumpy shape with a large rounded head, a short, stout, almost bulbous bill, prominent black-and-white markings on the head, a broad black breast-band, bright orange legs and an orange bill with a black tip. Birds like this are striking, attractive and easy to identify (Robin Chittenden).