American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica), Willcox, Cochise County

This American Golden-Plover was found and photographed by Dave Stejskal on 22 April 2016 and photographed by Chris Rohrer on 23 April 2016

Casual migrant (less than 50 records for the state), being particularly scarce in spring. Willcox has hosted a majority of the records for Southeast Arizona.

The similar Black-bellied Plover is eliminated by this bird's thin bill, dark cap, long wings, and more distinct pale supercilium. Separating this bird from the very similar Pacific Golden-Plover is much more difficult (see here), but there are only two records of Pacific for Arizona (plus a third that is currently circulating). Identification as American Golden-Plover hinges mainly on the duller, grayer plumage; as well as the length of the wings.

22 April 2016, photo by Dave Stejskal

23 April 2016, photo by Chris Rohrer

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