Pacific Golden-Plover

1. Gold-spangled upperparts visible in all plumages, especially in breeding adults and juveniles

2. Slim, long-legged build with a short, black bill

3. Grayish underwings and long primary projection in flight

Pacific Golden Plovers primarily feed on insects and other small invertebrates, using a characteristic stop-start foraging style: running, pausing to scan, then darting to pick prey from the ground. They are known for strong site fidelity, with individuals often returning to the same non-breeding and breeding territories year after year. Breeding occurs on the Arctic tundra, where nests are simple ground scrapes lined with vegetation. Both parents incubate the eggs and tend to the precocial chicks, which feed themselves soon after hatching. The species forms new pairs each breeding season.

In Australia, Pacific Golden Plovers are widespread along northern and eastern coastlines, frequenting mudflats, estuaries, and coastal wetlands. Unlike many shorebirds, they also venture inland to short-grass fields, golf courses, parks, and even airport runways. They are most often seen in small flocks, foraging at dawn and dusk, and roosting together at high tide on beaches or rocky headlands. After rain, they may be found searching for insects on urban lawns and sports fields.