The Siberian sand plover is a small wader in the plover family of birds. The International Ornithologists' Union split the Tibetan sand plover from the lesser sand plover and changed its vernacular name to Siberian sand plover. The specific mongolus is Latin and refers to Mongolia, which at the time of naming referred to a larger area than the present country.
Region
East and Southeast Asia to Australasia
Typical Environment
Breeds on low-lying tundra, gravelly coastal plains, and river deltas of northeastern Siberia. During the non-breeding season it occupies tidal mudflats, sandy beaches, estuaries, salt pans, and coastal lagoons. Migrants concentrate at major stopover sites along the Yellow Sea and other intertidal zones. It is typically coastal in winter but may occur on inland wetlands during migration.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Siberian sand plover is a long-distance migratory shorebird that breeds in northeastern Siberia and winters across coasts of East Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Australasia. It was recently split from the former Lesser Sand Plover complex by the International Ornithologists' Union; the other resulting species is the Tibetan sand plover. It frequents tidal flats and sandy shores and is often seen in mixed flocks with other small waders. Its scientific epithet mongolus refers to Mongolia in a broad historical sense.
In Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
Siberian sand plovers with sanderlings in Chilika, Odisha, India
Temperament
alert and active
Flight Pattern
low, fast flight with rapid wingbeats; agile over shorelines
Social Behavior
Often forms loose to large flocks outside the breeding season, frequently mixing with other small waders. Nests on the ground in a shallow scrape lined with pebbles or vegetation. Pairs defend a small territory on the breeding grounds and both sexes share incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, whistled notes and sharp piping calls, often given in flight over feeding areas. Alarm calls are brisk and repetitive, carrying well across open shorelines.
