Photo: Steve Garvie from Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Egyptian Plover
Pluvianus aegyptius
Egyptian Plover (Pluvianus aegyptius) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Egyptian Plover (Pluvianus aegyptius) is a member of the Pluvianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 82 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Pluvianidae Egyptian Plover
- Genus Pluvianus
- Species aegyptius
Where it lives
Senegal and Gambia east to Ethiopia, south to far northern Angola, DR Congo and Sudan; formerly also Nile River, Egypt
Quick facts
- Weight
- 82 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Pluvianidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Egyptian Plover hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Egyptian Plover is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Egyptian Plover (Pluvianus aegyptius) is a species of bird in the Pluvianidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Senegal and Gambia e to Ethiopia, s to far n Angola, DR Congo and Sudan; formerly also Nile River, Egypt.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 82 g, with a wing length of about 13 cm and a tail of around 5.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Egyptian Plover?
The Egyptian Plover is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 82 g.
Where does the Egyptian Plover live?
The Egyptian Plover is found across Africa with a range covering AF Senegal and Gambia e to Ethiopia, s to far n Angola, DR Congo and Sudan; formerly also Nile River, Egypt, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Egyptian Plover belong to?
The Egyptian Plover (Pluvianus aegyptius) belongs to the Pluvianidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Egyptian Plover eat?
The Egyptian Plover hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Egyptian Plover migrate?
The Egyptian Plover is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Egyptian Plover endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Egyptian Plover make?
1 real field recording of the Egyptian 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 Egyptian Plover's range?
The Egyptian Plover has a mapped global range of about 6 million 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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