Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

(16 cm.) Small; small bill; single thick dark band across chest; yellow legs; conspicuous yellow eye-ring; no wing bars

The Little Ringed Plover is a member of a large subfamily of small wading birds with straight bills which are notched at the tip, the plovers. The plover family is known according to scientific classification as the “Charadriinae” family. Plovers are found feeding for small invertebrates at the water edge’s and on open land.

This species is one of the smallest of its family. Like many plovers, it has a black mask and a ring around its neck. The Common Ringed Plover looks very similar but the Little Ringed Plover’s completely black bill, thinner neck ring, and conspicuous eye-ring distinguish it from this bird.

The Little Ringed Plover is a widespread species that is found in North Africa in winter and most of Europe and Asia throughout the year. In China, this species breeds throughout the eastern and central parts of the country. It winters in the southeast of China and Southeast Asia.

The diet of this species consists mostly of worms and insects of various species.

This species is usually found in marshes, mudflats, and along the sandy banks of rivers and streams.

The Little Ringed Plover is a widespread and common species in eastern China, and it is likely to be encountered by anyone who seeks it out.

Little Ringed Plover (Photo by Marek Szczepanek)