General

European Golden-Plover: Largest of the golden plovers, showing black crown, throat, neck and upperparts with small bright gold spotting. White band on forehead runs down sides of neck and along flank; black underparts trimmed in white. Undertail is white and short legs are dark gray. Female has less black on face. Juvenile is paler gray-brown with dull gold spotting.

Range and Habitat

European Golden-Plover: Native to the trunda regions of the northern hemisphere, accidental in Newfoundland. Prefers open ground, pastures and tundra.

Breeding and Nesting

European Golden-Plover: Four white to buff eggs with brown and black markings are laid in a nest of stems, leaves and lichens on the ground in an open dry area. Both sexes incubate for 28 to 31 days.

Foraging and Feeding

European Golden-Plover: Eats mainly earthworms, also forages for insects, crustaceans and berries on tundra, fields, beaches and tidal flats.

Vocalization

European Golden-Plover: Melancholy long whistle.

Similar Species

European Golden-Plover: American Golden-plover has gray underwings and completely black underparts. Pacific Golden-plover is smaller and more brightly colored.