Western Snowy Plover
The Pacific coast population of the Western Snowy Plover has historically resided and nested along sandy beaches, spits, and mudflats from southern Washington to southern Baja California. Western Snowy Plovers are unique in the coastal Pacific Northwest, being the only avian species to exclusively nest directly on the sand dunes. They also act as an indicator species for the coastal dune ecosystem which helps scientists to monitor the health of this ecosystem.
Due to a variety of threats, the coastal population declined to an estimated 35-50 birds in the early 1990’s and became absent from Oregon’s north coast by the late 1980’s. Prior to this significant decline, nesting was confirmed at a minimum of 21 locations along Oregon’s coast, but by 2003, nesting was observed at only 7 sites. The Pacific coast population was listed as threatened by the State of Oregon in 1975 and later listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1993. Currently, population recovery efforts have shown strong signs of success with a 2023 breeding population estimate of 433 birds in Oregon.
Threats to the Western Snowy Plover
The Western Snowy Plover has experienced rangewide declines of between 40-65% depending on the region. Since implementation of recovery efforts in the past 20 years, declines have slowed, and in some cases reversed, and some recolonization of traditional nesting areas has occurred. However, the bird is still challenged by a number of threats.
Poor breeding success, resulting from human disturbance, predation, and inclement weather, combined with loss of nesting habitat to encroachment of non-native European beachgrass and urban development have all been factors in this species’ population declines. Intensive beach use by people and pets often results in nest abandonment and overall reduction of nesting opportunities and success.
Bird Alliance of Oregon’s work to protect Western Snowy Plovers
Bird Alliance of Oregon advocated for strong protection measures and increased outreach effort during the process to develop Oregon’s Western Snowy Plover Habitat Conservation Plan which was developed to help implement the range-wide federal Western Snowy Plover Pacific Coast Population Recovery Plan published in 2007. Currently, Bird Alliance of Oregon is partnering with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department on a community science project (Snowy Plover Patrol) to monitor plovers at six sites on the North Coast as part of recovery efforts. We also coordinate with other coastal organizations on Snowy Plover outreach and education efforts.
How you can help
- Participate in Snowy Plover Patrol as a community scientist to help us monitor nesting Snowy Plovers on Oregon’s north coast
- When visiting the beach, stay out of signed Snowy Plover Management Areas from March 15 – September 15 and give plovers plenty of space year-round
- Recreate mindfully on the beach by packing out your trash and food waste, leaving driftwood and kelp on the beach, and removing entanglement hazards
- Spread plover awareness by becoming a Plover Docent or talking about Snowy Plovers with your friends, family, beach-goers, and community members
- Participate in beach clean ups and habitat restoration efforts on the coast
Natural History: Western Snowy Plover
Name: Western Snowy Plover (Pacific Coast Population)
Scientific Name: Anarhynchus nivosus nivosus
Conservation Status: Federally listed as Threatened; Oregon State-listed as Threatened
Habitat: Western Snowy Plovers (Pacific Coast Population) are most common on sandy beaches with a dune layer and some sparse vegetation. On occasion, they can also be found along estuaries and mudflats.
Food: These birds feed on mole crabs, beetles, sand flies, and many other small invertebrates found above and below the high-tide line. They are visual foragers, typically running a few steps, stopping abruptly and plunging their bills into the sand, though when encountering a swarm of kelp flies, they often run through the swarm with their mouths open, capturing their prey in flight.
Nest Type: Western Snowy Plovers nest in small, well-camouflaged depressions in the open sand. The male makes multiple depressions as part of the courtship ritual. The female chooses the nest, and both birds embellish it with small bones, pebbles, shell fragments, and other debris.
Behavior: During the breeding season, Western Snowy Plover pairs are very territorial towards conspecifics (members of the same species) as well as other small shorebirds, protecting their nest sites and broods by displaying at, chasing and/or attacking intruders. But during winter, these birds most often roost and forage together in flocks.
Description: Small shorebird (6.5”) with a short neck and a short, black bill. With pale gray backs and heads and snow-white bellies, these birds are very well-camouflaged in their sandy habitats. During the breeding season, the male sports a black forehead, lateral neck stripe and ear patch. Female breeding pattern is similar but lighter in color.
Fun Facts!
- Snowy Plovers are often polyandrous (a mating system where one female mates with several males in a breeding season.) Once a brood has hatched, the female moves on to find a new mate, leaving the chick-rearing to the males. This allows her to produce two or three broods each year.
- Snowy Plover chicks are able to walk, run, swim and forage within a few hours after hatching, though they are attended by their parent for 1-2 months. During this time, the parent helps the chicks find food, warns of approaching danger, defends the brood from intruders and periodically broods the chicks to keep them warm.
- Like many ground-nesting birds, Snowy Plovers distract potential predators from their nests using a “broken-wing display”: moving away from the nest while vocalizing and conspicuously dragging one wing along the ground.
- Western Snowy Plovers are vulnerable to a wide array of predators, including humans and domestic dogs. Learn how to avoid impacts when you visit the coast, or join our Plover Patrol and help us protect the Western Snowy Plover!
- Look for Western Snowy Plovers at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Sutton Beach, Yaquina Bay State Park, Sitka Sedge State Natural Area, Nehalem Bay State Park, and Fort Stevens State Park.
- Bits of detritus (shell fragments, wood pieces, pebbles) around the nest help to camouflage the nest from predators by breaking up the visual image – think of finding something in Where’s Waldo?
- Snowy plovers conserve energy by roosting in depressions in the sand, such as footprints and tire tracks, which can be up to 15° F warmer.
- Since becoming absent on Oregon’s north coast in the late 1980s, the first evidence of recolonization was observed in 2016 when a Snowy Plover nest was found at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area.
- Kelp and driftwood are beneficial to Snowy Plovers by providing shelter, cover, and foraging opportunities. Help out Snowy Plovers by leaving kelp and driftwood on the beach!