Semipalmated Plover

The Semi-palmated plover is a small shorebird that winters here in South Carolina. On the beach, they may be tucked in with large mixed flocks of shorebirds nestled into the wrack lines on the dunes. They have a step-step-pluck rhythm of feeding, locating their prey (usually worms) by sight. See how this slight webbing in their feet looks a little like the palm of your hand? That’s how they get their name. In winter, they have somewhat drab coloring with yellowish legs, a single dark ring around the neck, and a dark back with light bottom. Their bill is mostly dark with a little orange on the base. Like many birds, they get fancier in mating season; by spring they will be much brighter as they prepare for a 1500+ mile journey to their nesting grounds in Canada.