Rosyfinch Ramblings
Comments are not moderated here - please visit NEW SITE FOR ROSYFINCH.COM
Categories:

Archives:
Meta:
August 2012
M T W T F S S
« Jul   Sep »
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
08/26/12
American Golden-Plover
Filed under: General, Birding & Outdoors, Illinois, Birding "Patches"
Posted by: Ken @ 11:09 am

American Golden-Plovers breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate to southern South America.

In fall, they must fly to wintering grounds in Patagonia, a round trip of about 25,000 miles, including 2,400 miles non-stop over open ocean, one of the longest known  migratory routes. They cannot rest on the ocean, as they do not swim.

They must build large stores of fat at stopover areas during migration. Their body weight may increase by 30-50% in preparation for the long flight

They are uncommon but regular visitors to NE Illinois

American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica 5-20120822

Photographed at a sod farm in Kaneville, Kane County, Illinois. (Click on image for video and more views). 

Photo submission to the  BIRD D’pot

6 comments