Photo: Sascha Wenninger / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Magellanic Plover
Pluvianellus socialis
Magellanic Plover (Pluvianellus socialis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South America.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Magellanic Plover (Pluvianellus socialis) is a member of the Pluvianellidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 84.1 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Pluvianellidae Magellanic Plover
- Genus Pluvianellus
- Species socialis
Where it lives
Inland western Santa Cruz Province (southwestern Argentina), southeastern Magallanes Province (far southeastern Chile) and northern, central Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego
Quick facts
- Weight
- 84.1 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Pluvianellidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Magellanic Plover hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Magellanic Plover is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Magellanic Plover (Pluvianellus socialis) belongs to the Pluvianellidae family of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA inland w Santa Cruz Province (sw Argentina), se Magallanes Province (far se Chile) and n, c Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 84.1 g, with a wing length of about 13.6 cm and a tail of around 5.8 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 110,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Magellanic Plover?
The Magellanic Plover is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 84.1 g.
Where does the Magellanic Plover live?
The Magellanic Plover is found across South America with a range covering SA inland w Santa Cruz Province (sw Argentina), se Magallanes Province (far se Chile) and n, c Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Magellanic Plover belong to?
The Magellanic Plover (Pluvianellus socialis) belongs to the Pluvianellidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Magellanic Plover eat?
The Magellanic Plover hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Magellanic Plover migrate?
The Magellanic Plover is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Magellanic Plover endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Magellanic Plover make?
1 real field recording of the Magellanic Plover — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Magellanic Plover's range?
The Magellanic Plover has a mapped global range of about 110,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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