American Golden-Plover

American Golden-Plover
Name	American Golden-Plover
Genus	Pluvialis
Species	P. dominica

American Golden-Plover. The American Golden-Plover is a migratory shorebird that breeds in the Arctic tundras of Alaska, Canada, and Russia, and winters in the grasslands and wetlands of South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. This species is known for its impressive migratory journey, which takes it through various countries, including United States, Mexico, and Belize. The American Golden-Plover is a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, an international agreement between United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia.

Introduction

The American Golden-Plover is a medium-sized shorebird that belongs to the family Scolopacidae. It is a common migrant in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and Africa, where it can be found in a variety of habitats, such as wetlands, grasslands, and tundras. The species is also known for its distinctive golden plumage, which gives it its name, and is often seen in the company of other shorebirds, such as the Semipalmated Plover and the Killdeer. The American Golden-Plover is an important part of the ecosystem, playing a crucial role in the food chain and serving as an indicator species for the health of the environment, as recognized by organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Wildlife Fund.

Taxonomy

The American Golden-Plover is a member of the genus Pluvialis, which includes three other species of golden-plovers: the European Golden-Plover, the Pacific Golden-Plover, and the Grey Plover. The species is closely related to other shorebirds, such as the Sanderling and the Dunlin, and is part of the larger family Scolopacidae, which includes over 100 species of shorebirds. The American Golden-Plover is also known by its scientific name, Pluvialis dominica, which was first described by the Swedish botanist and zoologist Carolus Linnaeus in his book Systema Naturae. The species has been studied by many ornithologists, including John James Audubon and Alexander Wilson, who have contributed to our understanding of its behavior, ecology, and conservation status.

Habitat_and_Distribution

The American Golden-Plover breeds in the Arctic tundras of Alaska, Canada, and Russia, where it can be found in areas with low vegetation and abundant insects, such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. The species migrates through various countries, including United States, Mexico, and Belize, and winters in the grasslands and wetlands of South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. The American Golden-Plover can be found in a variety of habitats, including wetlands, grasslands, and tundras, and is often seen in areas with shallow water and abundant food, such as the Pantanal and the Cerrado. The species is also known to visit various national parks and wildlife refuges, including Yellowstone National Park and the Everglades National Park.

Behavior_and_Ecology

The American Golden-Plover is a migratory species that travels long distances each year, often in large flocks, and can be seen in the company of other shorebirds, such as the Semipalmated Plover and the Killdeer. The species is a ground-nesting bird, which means that it builds its nest on the ground, often in areas with low vegetation, and lays its eggs in a shallow depression, as described by ornithologists such as Roger Tory Peterson and David Allen Sibley. The American Golden-Plover is also a carnivorous species, which means that it feeds on a variety of invertebrates, including insects, crustaceans, and worms, and is often seen foraging for food in areas with shallow water and abundant prey, such as the Gulf of Mexico and the Amazon River. The species is an important part of the ecosystem, playing a crucial role in the food chain and serving as an indicator species for the health of the environment, as recognized by organizations such as the National Audubon Society and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Conservation_Status

The American Golden-Plover is a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, an international agreement between United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia that aims to conserve and manage migratory bird populations. The species is also listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List, which is maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and is protected by various national and international laws, including the Endangered Species Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. However, the species is still threatened by various human activities, such as habitat destruction, climate change, and hunting, and is often affected by environmental disasters, such as oil spills and hurricanes, which can impact its habitat and food supply, as seen in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and Hurricane Katrina.

Physical_Characteristics

The American Golden-Plover is a medium-sized shorebird that measures between 23 and 26 centimeters in length, and weighs between 150 and 250 grams, as described by ornithologists such as Arthur Cleveland Bent and Ludlow Griscom. The species has a distinctive golden plumage, which gives it its name, and is often seen with a black stripe that runs across its forehead, as depicted in the artwork of John James Audubon and Louis Agassiz Fuertes. The American Golden-Plover has a long, black bill, which is used for foraging and eating, and long, black legs, which are used for walking and running, as described by naturalists such as Henry David Thoreau and John Burroughs. The species is also known for its distinctive call, which sounds like a series of whistled notes, and is often heard during its migratory journey, as recorded by ornithologists such as Donald Kroodsma and Nathan Pieplow.

Category:Birds