Greater Sand Plover

Charadrius leschenaultii

(C. l. crassirostris)

Armenian Name:	Հաստակտուց քարադր
Species Status:	Endangered Species - Species of Special Concern

See Plate 26 for Greater Sand Plover and other similar species

Resident Status:	Breeding bird
Abundance:	Rare
Length:	22-25 cm, Wing Span:53-60 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 118.
Description:	Long-legged plover with long black bill and white wing stripe visible in flight; wingtips even with tail tip at rest.
Adult (Breeding):	Male has broad red-brown breast band that extends up over black eyestripe. Female duller, often with pale red-brown patches on sides of breast.
Adult (Non-breeding):	Both sexes drab brown above; brown breast patches.
Juvenile:	Yellowish-brown on head and breast; pale feather edges on upperparts.
Similar Species:	Caspian Plover.
Behavior:	Feeds with typical plover stop-run-stop movements. Call is loud trilling note.
Habitat:	Fish ponds, lake shores.
Food:	Insects, crustaceans.
Nest:	Shallow ground scrape lined with plant fragments.
Eggs:	39 mm, 3, dark brownish-yellow, black spots.