Greater Sand Plover

Charadrius leschenaultii

(C. l. crassirostris)

Armenian Name: Հաստակտուց քարադր
Species Status: Endangered Species - Species of Special Concern
Greater Sand Plover

See Plate 26 for Greater Sand Plover and other similar species

Resident Status: Breeding bird
Abundance: Rare
Length:22-25 cm, Wing Span:53-60 cm
Distribution Map: Map 118.
Description: Long-legged plover with long black bill and white wing stripe visible in flight; wingtips even with tail tip at rest.
Adult (Breeding): Male has broad red-brown breast band that extends up over black eyestripe. Female duller, often with pale red-brown patches on sides of breast.
Adult (Non-breeding): Both sexes drab brown above; brown breast patches.
Juvenile: Yellowish-brown on head and breast; pale feather edges on upperparts.
Similar Species: Caspian Plover.
Behavior: Feeds with typical plover stop-run-stop movements. Call is loud trilling note.
Habitat: Fish ponds, lake shores.
Food: Insects, crustaceans.
Nest: Shallow ground scrape lined with plant fragments.
Eggs: 39 mm, 3, dark brownish-yellow, black spots.