General
Eurasian Dotterel: Medium-sized shorebird with gray upperparts, rust-brown flanks and belly with black lower margin, and white vent. Narrow white breast band is prominent. Cap is dark and two white eyestripes meet in a V at nape. Feet and legs are yellow. Female is similar but brighter. Winter adult and juvenile are duller with buff eyebrows, vague breast band, scaled gray-brown back, and white or buff underparts.
Range and Habitat
Eurasian Dotterel: Native of Eurasia; uncommon in western Alaska during summer. Nests on plateaus and mountain slopes below highest tops; prefers dry sandy or stony areas on high plateaus during winter.
Breeding and Nesting
Eurasian Dotterel: Three brown olive eggs with black blotches are laid on the ground in a deep depression lined with leaves and lichens. Incubation ranges from 24 to 28 days and is carried out by the male.
Foraging and Feeding
Eurasian Dotterel: Eats insects, worms, and mollusks.
Vocalization
Eurasian Dotterel: Song is a whistled "pweet-pweet-pweet." When alarmed utters a loud trill.
Similar Species
Eurasian Dotterel: Winter and immature American Golden Plovers have dark legs and feet, and lack pale breast bands.