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.

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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!

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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".

Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus

The Semipalmated Plover, Charadrius semipalmatus, is a long-distance migrant, nesting well up in the arctic and subarctic before heading back to winter along both coasts. Here in CA we see them often on the mudflats of Bodega Harbor (Doran Beach is best). Back east in early August we saw these Semipalmated Plovers at the end of Cosey Beach Ave. in East Haven, as well as at Hammonasset State Beach.

This small "single-banded" plover is perhaps the easiest plover to identify, with the single complete dark band breast band (adult Killdeer has 2 bands), dark back, yellow-orange legs and bicolored bill. In breeding plumage the dark colors intensify, especially the bands on the forecrown and chest. Female similar to male, but dark bands are less prominent. Note the thin yellow orbital ring, often missed when viewing at a distance. Male in foreground, and the one behind is likely a female.

"Semipalmated" refers to the incomplete webbing between the toes, which helps it when walking on the mud, sort of like wearing snowshoes. We don't usually notice the webbing in the field, but a cropped of the above  photo hows it pretty well. The second photo feature a male Semipalmated, and the blurred bird in the background may be a female.