Semipalmated Plover

Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) is in the Plovers and Lapwings family (Charadriidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 26,186 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: spring and fall migrant. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Semipalmated Plover: observations by month (U.S.)

About Semipalmated Plover

The semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) is a small plover. The genus name Charadrius is a Late Latin word for a yellowish bird mentioned in the fourth-century Vulgate. It derives from Ancient Greek kharadrios a bird found in ravines and river valleys (kharadra, "ravine"). The specific semipalmatus is Latin and comes from semi, "half" and palma, "palm". Like the English name, this refers to its only partly webbed feet.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Semipalmated Plover by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Plovers and Lapwings)

KilldeerCharadrius vociferus

Black-bellied PloverPluvialis squatarola

Snowy PloverAnarhynchus nivosus

Piping PloverCharadrius melodus

Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulva

American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominica

Wilson's PloverAnarhynchus wilsonia

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ