Shorebird calls II : Plovers

Black-bellied Plovers with Semipalmated Plovers in the background, contact/flight calls (May, NJ).



Pluvialis plovers have two song types given in flight on the breeding grounds, wailing (also called territorial) and trilled. The trilled song is also given on the ground in aggressive interactions (Byrkjedal and Thompson).
Trilled song of a Black-bellied Plover (migrant, Aug, NJ).
time scale reduced







another trill (with Black Skimmer, May, NJ)











Semipalmated Plover interaction calls (May, NJ).










A flock at Heislerville, NJ in May.




Killdeer alarm call (May, NJ).












With further distress, the call becomes a deer-di-di-di (with Red-winged Blackbird whistling, May, NJ).











Three birds involved in chasing and fighting interactions (Northern Mockingbird singing, Apr, PA).






Wilson's Plover pip alarm/contact call (April, NC).

Reference: I Byrkjedal, DBA Thompson. Tundra Plovers. 1998. Princeton University Press.