Pacific Golden Plover, 4/2/2012

On 3/29/2012, an uncommon migratory bird "Black-tailed Godwit" was spotted at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park. Although I had taken some pictures of it on that day, but the bird was so far away that all pictures were blurred. This day (4/2/2012) my target is the "Black-tailed Godwit". But I failed to spot the bird after all day of searching and waiting. Instead, I spotted a large flock of Pacific Golden Plovers eating in the tidal flat area. It's Spring time. The Pacific Golden Plovers were still in the process of switching plumage, which I had never witnessed before.

In Taiwan, Pacific Golden Plover is common winter migratory bird or passage migrant. They can usually be spotted in the tidal flat area of Tamsui River or Guandu Nature Park.


non-breeding plumage taken on 1/2/2012 at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City



non-breeding plumage taken on 1/2/2012 at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City



Changing to breeding plumage, taken on 4/1/2012 at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City



Changing to breeding plumage, taken on 4/1/2012 at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City



Changing to breeding plumage, taken on 4/1/2012 at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City



Changing to breeding plumage, taken on 4/1/2012 at Huajiang Waterfowl Nature Park, Taipei City



Changing to breeding plumage, taken on 4/1/2012 at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City



Changing to breeding plumage, taken on 4/2/2012 at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City



Changing to breeding plumage, taken on 4/2/2012 at Huajiang Waterfowl Nature Park, Taipei City



Changing to breeding plumage, taken on 4/2/2012 at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City



Breeding plumage, taken on 4/2/2012 at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City



Breeding plumage, taken on 4/2/2012 at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City



Video recorded on 1/2/2012, at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City



Video recorded on 4/2/2012, at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City



Video recorded on 4/2/2012, at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City

Chinese name:	金斑鴴
English name:	Pacific Golden Plover
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Pluvialis fulva
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Charadriidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Winter migratory bird or passage migrant in Taiwan
Frequency of appearance:	Common in Taiwan
Foods:	mollusks, insects
Habitat:	Wetlands, swamps, sea shores, steams or mud lands
Altitude:	Low altitude
Behavior:	Appear in flocks
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: Plumage during breeding season: Back is black, with white stripes and golden stripes. An S-shape white stripe extends from eyebrow to side-face, side-neck and side-breast. Breast and belly are black. Plumage during non-breeding season: Back is grayish brown with golden wing edges. Eyebrow is dirt yellow. Breast and belly are light yellowy brown.
Breeding places:	North Russia, Northwest Siberia and Northwest Alaska.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in East Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Time photographed:	2012/1/2, 2012/4/1, 2012/4/2
Location found:	Wugu Wetland of New Taipei City, Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park of Taipei City
Sources:	Internet
Notes: