Common Ringed Plover, Chorlitejo grande

Description:

Juvenile. Adults are 17-19.5 cm in length with a 35–41 cm wingspan. They have a grey-brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with one black neckband. They have a brown cap, a white forehead, a black mask around the eyes and a short orange and black bill. The legs are orange and only the outer two toes are slightly webbed. Juvenile Ringed Plovers are duller than the adults in colour, with an often incomplete grey-brown breast band, a dark bill and dull yellowish-grey legs. This species differs from the smaller Little Ringed Plover in leg colour, the head pattern, and the lack of an obvious yellow eye-ring. These birds forage for food on beaches, tidal flats and fields, usually by sight. They eat insects, crustaceans and worms.

Habitat:

Spotted at an open beach where a small river was ending.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/1000 sec.; f/16; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.