Birds Guide

The Magellanic Plover, Pluvianellus socialis, is a rare and unique wader found only in southernmost South America. Its relationships with the plovers and other wader groups are uncertain, and it is often placed in its own family, Pluvianellidae. This species is not migratory, although some birds move further north in southern Argentina in winter.

This species is in its structure and habits much like a turnstone, but it cannot be confused with any other wader species. Its upperparts and breast are pale grey, and the rest of the underparts are white. It has short red legs, a black bill and a red eye. In young birds, the eyes and legs are yellowish in colour. The call is a dovelike coo.

This species breeds near water, laying two large eggs on the ground, although usually only one chick survives.

Magellanic Plovers feed on small invertebrates, picked from the ground, or from under pebbles, again like a turnstone.

References

• BirdLife International (2006). Pluvianellus socialis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is near threatened
• Shorebirds by Hayman, Marchant and Prater, ISBN 0-7099-2034-2