Charadrius semipalmatus
Range
They winter on the west coast from Northern California to South America and on the east coast from Virginia to South America. In the summer, they travel to Alaska across Canada and to Newfoundland to breed.
Habitat
They are found on beaches and mudflats.
Body Traits
They are small with a short neck and long yellowish-orange legs. They have a dark back and light underparts. Dark stripes on the face and chest make the white band around the neck stand out as a good identification trait. They have a yellowish-orange beak with a black tip.
Habits
They run a few steps, stop, look and then run a few more steps. Then when they see prey, they stop, peck and grab and move on.
Diet
They eat insects, crayfish, snails, and other small creatures (invertebrates) found along and in the water.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Charadrius
Species: C. semipalmatus