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

Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Class: Aves Order: Charadriiformes = most widespread bird order Order: Charadriiformes = most widespread bird order

Taxonomy cont’d Family: Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers) Family: Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers) Family: Recurvirostridae (Stilts & Avocets) Family: Recurvirostridae (Stilts & Avocets) Family: Charadriidae (Plovers) Family: Charadriidae (Plovers)

Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers) 11 species word-wide 11 species word-wide 3 in North America 3 in North America no record in Kentucky by KDFWR no record in Kentucky by KDFWR Genus: Haematopus Genus: Haematopus

Oystercatchers all have long, laterally compressed bills all have long, laterally compressed bills plumage either entirely dark or dark above with white underparts plumage either entirely dark or dark above with white underparts gray legs gray legs habitat is along shorelines (usu. rocky) at temperate latitudes around the world habitat is along shorelines (usu. rocky) at temperate latitudes around the world favorite prey items are mussels, oysters, and limpets favorite prey items are mussels, oysters, and limpets birds tend to be residents (non-migratory) birds tend to be residents (non-migratory) are solitary nesters (not colonial), sometimes exist in groups of several pair are solitary nesters (not colonial), sometimes exist in groups of several pair

Oystercatchers 3 species in North America 3 species in North America Eurasian Oystercatcher Eurasian Oystercatcher : 1 record/accidental American Oystercatcher American Oystercatcher : Gulf of California, Pacific Coast of Mexico, Gulf Coast, Atlantic Coast to Maine Black Oystercatcher Black Oystercatcher : Pacific Coast from Aleutian Is. To Baja Peninsula

American Oystercatcher American Oystercatcher

American Oystercatcher largest oystercatcher largest oystercatcher length: inches length: inches wingspan: inches wingspan: inches weight: approx. 1.4 pounds weight: approx. 1.4 pounds clutch size 1-4 buff gray eggs often with brown speckles clutch size 1-4 buff gray eggs often with brown speckles incubation days (both incubate) incubation 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 parents parental care from both parents 1 brood/year 1 brood/year nest usually in sandy areas above high water mark and built by both nest usually in sandy areas above high water mark and built by both similar to Eurasian Oystercatcher but has brownish back/tail instead of black back/tail similar to Eurasian Oystercatcher but has brownish back/tail instead of black back/tail will inhabit both rocky and sandy shorelines will inhabit both rocky and sandy shorelines uncommon to rare throughout range uncommon to rare throughout range

Black Oystercatcher

length: approx inches length: approx inches wingspan: inches wingspan: inches weight: 1.4 pounds weight: 1.4 pounds clutch size: 1-4 pale buff olive eggs with black or brown spots clutch size: 1-4 pale buff olive eggs with black or brown spots incubation days by both parents incubation days by both parents young precocial/leave nest shortly after hatching/fledge at days young precocial/leave nest shortly after hatching/fledge at days parental care from both parents parental care from both parents 1 brood/year 1 brood/year nest usually in pebbly rock above high water mark built by both nest usually in pebbly rock above high water mark built by both Dark brown/black coloration throughout Dark brown/black coloration throughout Have been found to interbreed with American Oystercatcher Have been found to interbreed with American Oystercatcher

Research on Oystercatchers since these birds live along shorelines in temperate environments, oil spills can affect them since these birds live along shorelines in temperate environments, oil spills can affect them Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound Brad Andrews (OSU) analyzed the effects of persistent shoreline oil on breeding success and chick growth in Black Oystercatchers (AUK 116(3), 1999 Brad Andrews (OSU) analyzed the effects of persistent shoreline oil on breeding success and chick growth in Black Oystercatchers (AUK 116(3), 1999 since birds forage along shoreline, their primary food source was contaminated since birds forage along shoreline, their primary food source was contaminated found that chicks reared on areas polluted by oil gained mass at a slower rate found that chicks reared on areas polluted by oil gained mass at a slower rate also found that birds on a whole foraged less in polluted areas also found that birds on a whole foraged less in polluted areas concluded that slower mass gain did not translate into lowered fledgling success and that effects of oil spill were confined to certain locales and not throughout the Black Oystercatcher population of Prince William Sound concluded that slower mass gain did not translate into lowered fledgling success and that effects of oil spill were confined to certain locales and not throughout the Black Oystercatcher population of Prince William Sound

Recurvirostridae (Stilts/Avocets) seven species worldwide seven species worldwide three in North America three in North America shorebirds with extremely long legs shorebirds with extremely long legs members of this family have slightly decurved bills members of this family have slightly decurved bills only one species occurs in Kentucky (Black-necked Stilt) only one species occurs in Kentucky (Black-necked Stilt)

Stilts usually colonial (at least loosely) usually colonial (at least loosely) active nest defenders active nest defenders legs are typically red in color and very long: along with Phoenicopteridae (flamingoes) have the largest ratio of legs: body mass of all bird genera legs are typically red in color and very long: along with Phoenicopteridae (flamingoes) have the largest ratio of legs: body mass of all bird genera belong to Genus Himantopus belong to Genus Himantopus

Black-necked Stilt

only stilt found commonly in North America only stilt found commonly in North America seen occasionally in extreme western Kentucky along Mississippi River and lower Ohio river seen occasionally in extreme western Kentucky along Mississippi River and lower Ohio river Solitary, pairs, or small flocks Solitary, pairs, or small flocks Actively defend nest; will attack or splash water with wings for distraction Actively defend nest; will attack or splash water with wings for distraction Feeds along shorelines in shallow water or on shore Feeds along shorelines in shallow water or on shore

Black-necked Stilt length: inches length: inches wingspan: inches wingspan: inches weight: 5.9 ounces (legs 8-10 inches) weight: 5.9 ounces (legs 8-10 inches) are monogamous/ loosely colonial are monogamous/ loosely colonial are migratory are migratory nest on ground; nest a shallow depression built by both nest on ground; nest a shallow depression built by both clutch size: 3-5 yellow/buff eggs w/ brown or black splotches clutch size: 3-5 yellow/buff eggs w/ brown or black splotches incubation days (both incubate) incubation days (both incubate) female incubates at night / male during day female incubates at night / male during day young are precocial and can feed themselves shortly after hatching young are precocial and can feed themselves shortly after hatching parental care by both parental care by both young fledge after 4-5 weeks young fledge after 4-5 weeks 1 brood / year 1 brood / year diet consists of insects, crustaceans, worms, fish, and some seeds diet consists of insects, crustaceans, worms, fish, and some seeds prefers freshwater prefers freshwater

Avocets legs are long and gray in color legs are long and gray in color bill more strongly decurved than stilts bill more strongly decurved than stilts belong to the genus Recurvirostra belong to the genus Recurvirostra American Avocet is only species found in North America American Avocet is only species found in North America

American Avocet

has alternate plumages in breeding/non-breeding season has alternate plumages in breeding/non-breeding season females look like males except for more decurved bills females look like males except for more decurved bills fairly common west of the Great Plains, uncommon in the Eastern U.S. fairly common west of the Great Plains, uncommon in the Eastern U.S. overhunting in the 1800’s and early 1900’s decimated the population overhunting in the 1800’s and early 1900’s decimated the population now has federal protection and numbers are now has federal protection and numbers are stable and rising stable and rising

American Avocet length: inches length: inches wingspan: inches wingspan: inches weight: 11.1 ounces weight: 11.1 ounces monogamous and loosely colonial monogamous and loosely colonial clutch size 3-4 olive colored eggs w/ brown and black splotching clutch size 3-4 olive colored eggs w/ brown and black splotching nest in shallow depression near water built by both sexes nest in shallow depression near water built by both sexes incubation days (both incubate) incubation days (both incubate) young precocial and leave nest soon after hatching and feed themselves young precocial and leave nest soon after hatching and feed themselves parental care by both parental care by both young fledge at days young fledge at days 1 brood / year 1 brood / year often feed in flocks of 100+ birds often feed in flocks of 100+ birds diet primarily aquatic insects but also eats crustaceans and other inverts diet primarily aquatic insects but also eats crustaceans and other inverts

Charadriidae (Plovers) 67 species wordwide 67 species wordwide 16 reported in North America 16 reported in North America pick food off of surface, do not probe, so bills are short pick food off of surface, do not probe, so bills are short two genera: Pluvialis and Charadrius two genera: Pluvialis and Charadrius Charadrius = winged plovers Charadrius = winged plovers all plovers use the “crippled bird” display to lure potential predators away from the nest all plovers use the “crippled bird” display to lure potential predators away from the nest historically many N.A. species of plover were killed by market hunters; this has led to the decline in number of several species historically many N.A. species of plover were killed by market hunters; this has led to the decline in number of several species plovers are migratory; some of the species fly 1000’s of miles to get from breeding grounds to wintering grounds and vice versa plovers are migratory; some of the species fly 1000’s of miles to get from breeding grounds to wintering grounds and vice versa

Plovers (Pluvialis) all have black chest, breast, belly all have black chest, breast, belly like the American Avocet members of Pluvialis have alternating coloration for breeding/ non- breeding like the American Avocet members of Pluvialis have alternating coloration for breeding/ non- breeding only three species found with regularity in North America only three species found with regularity in North America Black-bellied Plover American Golden Plover Pacific Golden Plover (only on Pacific Coast) Pacific Golden Plover (only on Pacific Coast)

Black-bellied Plover

breed along Arctic Coast of Alaska and Canada (including Northern Territory Islands) breed along Arctic Coast of Alaska and Canada (including Northern Territory Islands) largest of the North American Plovers largest of the North American Plovers are recorded sightings by KDFWR in Ballard and Henderson Counties are recorded sightings by KDFWR in Ballard and Henderson Counties travels in flocks travels in flocks tend to utilize tidal marshes and salt marshes tend to utilize tidal marshes and salt marshes Uses inland stopover points (like W. Ky) during migration; this is a concern because these type of areas are declining Uses inland stopover points (like W. Ky) during migration; this is a concern because these type of areas are declining Are uncommon (mostly) to common Are uncommon (mostly) to common

Black-bellied Plover length: inches length: inches wingspan: inches wingspan: inches weight: 7.8 ounces weight: 7.8 ounces clutch size: 3-5 gray-green, whitish, or brown eggs with dark brown spots clutch size: 3-5 gray-green, whitish, or brown eggs with dark brown spots nest comprised of tundra moss primarily and is on ground nest comprised of tundra moss primarily and is on ground nest started by male and finished by female nest started by male and finished by female incubation days (both incubate) incubation days (both incubate) young precocial and are cared for by both parents for first two weeks; after then by male only young precocial and are cared for by both parents for first two weeks; after then by male only fledge after days fledge after days 1 brood/ year 1 brood/ year typical forage consists of marine worms, molluscs, insects, etc… typical forage consists of marine worms, molluscs, insects, etc… monogamous breeders monogamous breeders

American Golden Plover

breed in Northern Canada from west Coast of Hudson Bay along Arctic Coast to Bering Sea Coast of Alaska breed in Northern Canada from west Coast of Hudson Bay along Arctic Coast to Bering Sea Coast of Alaska migrate extremely long distances and can fly at a rate of 60mph for long distances migrate extremely long distances and can fly at a rate of 60mph for long distances winters as far south as Argentina winters as far south as Argentina almost eradicated by market hunters almost eradicated by market hunters winter plumage is gray-brown above and gray below winter plumage is gray-brown above and gray below South American winter range is losing habitat South American winter range is losing habitat as a result birds are uncommon at best as a result birds are uncommon at best broad white stripe on forehead and thin black bill help to separate from Pacific Golden Plover broad white stripe on forehead and thin black bill help to separate from Pacific Golden Plover

American Golden Plover length: inches length: inches wingspan: inches wingspan: inches weight: 5.1 ounces weight: 5.1 ounces clutch size: 3-4 cinnamon / buff eggs with black and brown spots clutch size: 3-4 cinnamon / buff eggs with black and brown spots nest on ground and composed primarily of tundra lichens, moss, and grass nest on ground and composed primarily of tundra lichens, moss, and grass nest built by male nest built by male incubation period days by both incubation period days by both young are precocial and abandon nest soon after hatching young are precocial and abandon nest soon after hatching parental care by both parental care by both young fledge after days young fledge after days monogamous monogamous 1 brood/ year 1 brood/ year feeds on grasshoppers, crickets, larvae, mollusks, and crustaceans feeds on grasshoppers, crickets, larvae, mollusks, and crustaceans at tundra breeding sites will often eat many crowberries in preparation for migration at tundra breeding sites will often eat many crowberries in preparation for migration

Charadrius (ringed Plovers) most species in this genera have a ring or collar around their neck most species in this genera have a ring or collar around their neck seven species are found in N.A. with regularity (Piping Plover restricted) seven species are found in N.A. with regularity (Piping Plover restricted) all N.A. species except Piping Plover have no differentiation in seasonal plumage all N.A. species except Piping Plover have no differentiation in seasonal plumage

Snowy Plover

only N.A. Charadrius besides Mountain Plover with incomplete ring on neck only N.A. Charadrius besides Mountain Plover with incomplete ring on neck instead has dark brown spots near shoulder instead has dark brown spots near shoulder females and juveniles shoulder spots are lighter than males, other than that they appear the same females and juveniles shoulder spots are lighter than males, other than that they appear the same snowy plovers like sandy, barren beaches; human disturbance often causes failed nests snowy plovers like sandy, barren beaches; human disturbance often causes failed nests populations are declining and is threatened in parts of its range and rare in almost all cases esp. on Gulf Coast populations are declining and is threatened in parts of its range and rare in almost all cases esp. on Gulf Coast

Snowy Plover length: 6-7 inches length: 6-7 inches wingspan:13.5 inches wingspan:13.5 inches weight: 1.4 ounces weight: 1.4 ounces mostly monogamous, but some males are polygamous mostly monogamous, but some males are polygamous clutch size: 2-3 pale buff eggs with gray spots and scratches clutch size: 2-3 pale buff eggs with gray spots and scratches nest is a shallow depression on the ground built by the male and lined with debris by the female nest is a shallow depression on the ground built by the male and lined with debris by the female incubation lasts days incubation lasts days young are precocial and fed by both parents young are precocial and fed by both parents 1-2 broods/ year 1-2 broods/ year some are residential but most migrate some are residential but most migrate feed by chasing waves in and out and capturing small crustaceans and small inverts feed by chasing waves in and out and capturing small crustaceans and small inverts

Wilson’s Plover

often will run instead of fly to get away from disturbances often will run instead of fly to get away from disturbances plumage is similar except that males are slightly darker plumage is similar except that males are slightly darker are fairly common but habitat loss and human disturbance are problems; human restriction on occupied beaches helps are fairly common but habitat loss and human disturbance are problems; human restriction on occupied beaches helps similar to the Semipalmated Plover but has a heavier bill, pink feet, and a white eye stripe similar to the Semipalmated Plover but has a heavier 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 one courtship ritual and female then chooses one

Wilson’s Plover length: 7-8 inches length: 7-8 inches wingspan inches wingspan inches weight: 1.9 ounces weight: 1.9 ounces clutch size: 2-3 buff colored eggs w/ brown and black blotching clutch size: 2-3 buff colored eggs w/ brown and black blotching nest a shallow depression on the beach or mudflat above the high water mark; also found at river mouths and inlets nest a shallow depression on the beach or mudflat above the high water mark; also found at river mouths and inlets are monogamous are monogamous incubation lasts days (both incubate) incubation lasts days (both incubate) young are precocial and leave nest soon after hatching and forage themselves young are precocial and leave nest soon after hatching and forage themselves young fledge after 21 days and receive parental are from both parents young fledge after 21 days and receive parental are from both parents 1 brood / year 1 brood / year are migratory are migratory feed on small crustaceans, marine worms, mollusks, and aquatic larvae feed on small crustaceans, marine worms, mollusks, and aquatic larvae winter in Central and South America along coasts winter in Central and South America along coasts

Semipalmated Plover

breed throughout Alaska and along Arctic coast of Canada, along Hudson Bay, and Labrador, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia breed throughout Alaska and along Arctic coast of Canada, along Hudson Bay, and Labrador, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia single dark breast band combined with black cheeks and reduced white supercilium separate the Semipalmated Plover from both Wilson’s Plover and the Killdeer single dark breast band combined with black cheeks and reduced white supercilium separate the Semipalmated Plover from both Wilson’s Plover and the Killdeer Migrate in flocks and are often seen just before sundown roosting with their heads tucked beneath a wing Migrate in flocks and are often seen just before sundown roosting with their heads tucked beneath a wing Plumage in both sexes is similar Plumage in both sexes is similar was overhunted in the late 1800’s but has recovered well and is common where it breeds and migrates was overhunted in the late 1800’s but has recovered well and is common where it breeds and migrates

Semipalmated Plover length: 7 inches length: 7 inches wingspan: inches wingspan: inches weight: 1.7 ounces weight: 1.7 ounces clutch size: 3-4 olive colored eggs with dark brown or black markings clutch size: 3-4 olive colored eggs with dark brown or black markings nest is on ground near shore and is built by male nest is on ground near shore and is built by male monogamous and somewhat colonial monogamous and somewhat colonial incubation lasts days by both parents incubation lasts days by both parents young are precocial and leave nest quickly young are precocial and leave nest quickly young can feed themselves and are cared for by both parents young can feed themselves and are cared for by both parents young fledge after days young fledge after days 1 brood/ year 1 brood/ year forage on shoreline for small mollusks, marine worms, eggs of marine animals, and small crustaceans forage on shoreline for small mollusks, marine worms, eggs of marine animals, and small crustaceans

Piping Plover

winters along Gulf Coast winters along Gulf Coast breeds in Prairie Pothole Region as well as along mid to north Atlantic Coast breeds in Prairie Pothole Region as well as along mid to north Atlantic Coast has almost been eliminated in breeding grounds around the Great Lakes has almost been eliminated in breeding grounds around the Great Lakes is a federally endangered species is a federally endangered species similar to the Snowy Plover except it has orange feet and an entire brown band around its neck similar to the Snowy Plover except it has orange feet and an entire brown band around its neck has a summer and winter plumage variation has a summer and winter plumage variation interior nesting sites have been adversely affected by dams and channelization interior nesting sites have been adversely affected by dams and channelization

Piping Plover length: 7.25 inches length: 7.25 inches wingspan: inches wingspan: inches weight: 1.9 ounces weight: 1.9 ounces clutch size: 3-4 pale buff colored eggs with black and brown spots clutch size: 3-4 pale buff colored eggs with black and brown spots monogamous and loosely colonial monogamous and loosely colonial nests on ground near water and is built by both nests on ground near water and is built by both incubation lasts days incubation lasts days young are precocial but stay in the nest for days when they fledge young are precocial but stay in the nest for days when they fledge are fed and cared for by both sexes are fed and cared for by both sexes 1 brood/ year 1 brood/ year during nesting season are territorial but otherwise are not during nesting season are territorial but otherwise are not forage on fly larvae, beetles, crustaceans and marine worms forage on fly larvae, beetles, crustaceans and marine worms often will forage on drier upper parts of beaches so that color blends in often will forage on drier upper parts of beaches so that color blends in

Mountain Plover

winters in San Joaquin Valley of California south into northern Mexico and Southern Texas winters in San Joaquin Valley of California south into northern Mexico and Southern Texas can be found mostly in drier, upland habitats can be found mostly in drier, upland habitats much of breeding areas have been converted to agriculture much of breeding areas have been converted to agriculture also utilized excavation mounds from prairie dog colonies to nest on also utilized excavation mounds from prairie dog colonies to nest on as a result populations have declined and birds are uncommon at best as a result populations have declined and birds are uncommon at best

Mountain Plover length: 9 inches length: 9 inches Wingspan: inches Wingspan: inches weight: 3.6 ounces weight: 3.6 ounces clutch size: 2-4 olive buff eggs with many black marks clutch size: 2-4 olive buff eggs with many black marks mostly monagamous but some males polygamous mostly monagamous but some males polygamous nest is a depression often amid cacti or shrubbery and is built by male; material added during incubation nest is a depression often amid cacti or shrubbery and is built by male; material added during incubation incubation lasts days (both incubate) incubation lasts days (both incubate) male incubates first set, then female lays a second set and incubates these male incubates first set, then female lays a second set and incubates these precocial young feed themselves and receive care from both parents precocial young feed themselves and receive care from both parents young fledge at days young fledge at days 2 broods/ year 2 broods/ year forage on grasshoppers, beetles, flies, and crickets forage on grasshoppers, beetles, flies, and crickets

Killdeer

Killdeer

Killdeer

Killdeer largest of the ringed plovers, also most common largest of the ringed plovers, also most common only double banded plover in N.A. only double banded plover in N.A. distinctive call distinctive call often seen on ballfieds and other large, flat expanses often seen on ballfieds and other large, flat expanses red eye ring often bright red eye ring often bright often return to same nest sight and same mate often return to same nest sight and same mate can be upland as well shore oriented can be upland as well shore oriented recorded in 116 Kentucky Counties recorded in 116 Kentucky Counties

Killdeer length: inches length: inches wingspan: inches wingspan: inches weight: 3.2 ounces weight: 3.2 ounces clutch size: 3-5 buff eggs with brown and black spots clutch size: 3-5 buff eggs with brown and black spots nest is a depression on the ground built by the male nest is a depression on the ground built by the male monogamous and solitary monogamous and solitary incubation lasts days and both incubate incubation lasts days and both incubate young are precocial, feed themselves, and leave the nest soon after hatching young are precocial, feed themselves, and leave the nest soon after hatching receive care from both parents and fledge after 25 days receive care from both parents and fledge after 25 days 2 broods/ year 2 broods/ year forage on insects almost exclusively from a wide array of habitats forage on insects almost exclusively from a wide array of habitats sexes similar in plumage sexes similar in plumage northern population is migratory while southern birds are resident northern population is migratory while southern birds are resident