Black-bellied Plover

1. Black "armpits" (axillaries) visible in flight against white underwings

2. Stocky build with a thick bill and relatively large head

3. Non-breeding birds are grey-brown above with pale grey breast and white belly

These plovers are visual hunters, specializing in marine invertebrates such as worms, bivalves, and crustaceans. Their feeding behaviour is characterized by quick runs followed by abrupt stops to scan for prey, then a swift peck to capture it. Unlike some other shorebirds, they do not typically follow the tide line but forage widely across mudflats. Their large eyes are adapted for low-light conditions, allowing for nocturnal foraging when prey is more active at the surface. Grey Plovers breed in the high Arctic tundra, where they build shallow scrapes lined with lichen and lay four eggs. Most birds seen in Australia are females, as males tend to winter further north.

Grey Plovers are widespread along Australia’s coasts, especially on open sandy beaches, tidal mudflats, and estuaries. They are less common along the east coast but can be found in suitable habitats nationwide. During low tide, they spread out to forage across exposed flats, often in loose groups, while at high tide they gather to roost on sandbanks, beaches, or occasionally in saltmarshes. Their upright, alert posture and preference for open spaces make them easy to spot, especially at dawn and dusk when feeding activity peaks.