Description

The snowy plover is a small shorebird that is found in sandy or gravelly coastal habitats such as beaches, dunes, and salt flats. The adult snowy plover is about 5-7 inches long and weighs around 1-2 ounces. They have a sandy brown back, a white belly, and distinctive black patches on their forehead and either side of their neck. Snowy plover chicks are tiny and fluffy with a sandy brown coloration that blends in with their surroundings. They have a dark stripe running from the top of their head down to their beak, and a pale stripe above that. Their legs are pinkish-gray and their feet are small and delicate.

At hatching, snowy plover chicks weigh about 0.2 to 0.4 ounces and are only about 1 inch in length. They are precocial, which means they are able to move around and feed themselves shortly after hatching. However, they still rely on their parents for protection and guidance.