Wilson’s Plover

Anarhynchus wilsonia

Wilson's Plover (Anarhynchus wilsonia) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 18 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Brazil Birds of Canada Birds of Colombia Birds of Costa Rica Birds of Ecuador Birds of Mexico Birds of Peru Birds of the United States Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick

By family

Plovers of Brazil Plovers of Canada Plovers of Colombia Plovers of Costa Rica Plovers of Ecuador Plovers of Mexico Plovers of Peru Plovers of the United States

See what's near you right now

The Wilson’s Plover (Anarhynchus wilsonia) is a member of the Charadriidae family found in Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Charadriidae Plovers
Genus Anarhynchus
Species wilsonia

Where it lives

Coastal temperate to tropical eastern, southwestern USA to Caribbean, east-central Brazil and Peru

Quick facts

Family: Charadriidae
Order: Charadriiformes

Biology & behaviour

The Wilson’s Plover (Anarhynchus wilsonia) belongs to the Charadriidae family of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America. Its distribution covers NA, MA, SA coastal temperate to tropical e, sw USA to Caribbean, ec Brazil and Peru.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the Wilson’s Plover live?

The Wilson’s Plover is found across Central America & Caribbean, North America and South America with a range covering NA, MA, SA coastal temperate to tropical e, sw USA to Caribbean, ec Brazil and Peru.

What family does the Wilson’s Plover belong to?

The Wilson’s Plover (Anarhynchus wilsonia) belongs to the Charadriidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

Is the Wilson’s 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.