The European golden plover, also known as the Eurasian golden plover, or just the golden plover within Europe, is a relatively large species of plover. This species is similar to two other golden plovers, the American golden plover, Pluvialis dominica, and Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva, which are both slightly smaller, slimmer and longer-legged than European golden plover, and both have grey rather than white axillary (armpit) feathers.
Region
Northern and Western Palearctic
Typical Environment
Breeds from Iceland, the British Isles’ uplands, and Scandinavia across to western Russia on open moorland, bogs, and tundra. In non-breeding season it winters mainly in western and southern Europe, the British Isles, the Mediterranean basin, and parts of North Africa. Prefers treeless, wet heath and peatland with short vegetation for nesting, shifting to coastal estuaries, mudflats, and lowland pastures after breeding. Migration is mostly along coasts and across open farmland, where large flocks can form.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Often confused with the American and Pacific golden plovers, it can be distinguished by its white underwing (axillaries) and stockier build. In breeding plumage it shows a striking black face and belly edged with white and golden-spangled upperparts, fading to mottled brown in winter. Large flocks gather on coastal flats and farmland in winter, and its clear, plaintive whistle is a characteristic sound of open moorland.
Temperament
wary and alert
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically pairs and nests on the ground with a shallow scrape, often well-spaced on open moorland. Chicks are precocial and leave the nest soon after hatching. Outside the breeding season, forms large, cohesive flocks that roost communally and feed together.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A clear, plaintive, whistled 'pluu-ee' or 'tleeu' often given in flight over breeding grounds. Display flights include soft trills and piping notes carrying over open moors.
Plumage
Breeding adults show golden-spangled upperparts with a bold black face, throat, and belly bordered by white; non-breeding birds are mottled brown and buff with paler underparts. Underwings are white (axillaries), contrasting with the darker body. Feathers are dense and sleek, well-suited to wet, windy habitats.
Diet
Feeds mainly on invertebrates such as beetles, flies, earthworms, spiders, and mollusks, taken by a run-and-pause foraging style. During autumn and winter, also consumes berries (e.g., crowberry, bilberry) and occasionally seeds. Diet composition varies seasonally with availability and habitat.
Preferred Environment
In the breeding season, forages on damp heaths, bogs, and tundra with short vegetation. In winter, uses estuarine mudflats, coastal grasslands, and inland pastures, often following agricultural activity to exploit exposed invertebrates.
