| Description
The Mountain Plover is a medium-sized, long-legged shorebird, similar in appearance to the more common Killdeer. Relatively plain in order to blend into its grassland habitat, its upperparts are a pale, sandy brown, while the neck and underparts are white. Males and females are similar in size and color, and in breeding season, they have a dark cap with a black stripe running from the eye to the black beak. Winter plumage is pale and the dark head bands are absent. It is distinguished from the Killdeer by a lack of black breastbands. Habitat
Belying its name, the Mountain Plover is an endemic grassland species, usually found on grassy or bare dirt fields. This species is associated with prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and with large grazers, formerly bison and currently domestic livestock. The diet of a Mountain Plover consists predominantly of insects, especially spiders, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets and ants. Like many species that have evolved in arid climates, the Mountain Plover appears to satisfy its water requirements from its food and does not need to drink water. When courting, both males and females perform balletic aerial displays while vocalizing. Their nest is a shallow depression in the ground that may be lined with plant material, typically containing three well-camouflaged eggs. Adults take turns attending the nest, rotating the eggs and shading them on hot days. Range
Mountain Plovers range from Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada, through the high plains of the United States to Zacatecas and western San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Starting in April and May, nesting occurs primarily in the United States in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Only one nest has been found in Mexico. It is estimated that 85 percent of the total North America population of Mountain Plovers winters in California, the remainder in northern Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Threats
The Mountain Plover has been in steady decline for most of the twentieth century. This is attributed primarily to the reduction of their grassland habitat throughout North America, involving cultivation of grasslands, new farming practices, and eradication programs for prairie dogs and ground squirrels. The plover’s wintering areas in California are under extreme pressure from conversion of cultivated fields to vineyards, orchards, and urban development. Predation by hawks, eagles, and foxes is also a serious threat to chick survival.
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