Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus

I've never been fond of the adjective "semipalmated" in a bird's common name, as in Semipalmated Sandpiper. "Semiplamated" does mean "partially webbed", which makes some anatomical sense, although we don't usually note this feature in the field.  It would be nice if the the adjective chosen for the common name was selected because the feature is unique to the species, i.e. other sandpipers are not semipalmated. Then we learn that the Western Sandpiper has similar webbing, meaning it is also semipalmated. Oh well....

Today's bird is the Semipalmated Plover. As you can see, this species does have a bit of webbing between the toes, but you'd think they could have chosen a better name of this attractive little single-banded plover than "semipalmated". Yellow-legged Plover perhaps? But of course the yellow-orange leg color is not unique to this plover species. And I have no idea if other plovers has partial webbing.

​

The Semipalmated Plover seen above show some brownish discloration on the breast, something we often seen in birds that forage in near-coast habitats where there is a lot of boating. Serious staining can harm the bird's health, but hopefully this individual will be fine. Good sign that this one didn't preen the dark area, as ingesting hydrocarbons can cause serious illness or death.

I like the view below for the way the yellow-orange color of the orbital ring is lit by the morning sun, matching the color at the base of the bill and on the legs. Check out the webbing, too!

​

The seasonal changes from basic plumage to breeding plumage in the Semipalmated Plover are more subtle than seen in many shorebird families, but this is true with most plover species. Often the dark areas simply get darker, orbital ring may be brighter, and the bill may pick up some color, as here. The changes are often more marked in the male of the species. Maybe we should call that "semi-sexual dimorphism".