With the coming of spring, shorebirds have begun nesting! The bulk of SCCF’s shorebird program is focused on snowy plovers (Anarhynchus nivosus), but our biologists also look into the more elusive Wilson’s plovers (Anarhynchus wilsonia), birds that haven’t nested on Sanibel or Captiva in nearly five years. 

Wilson’s plovers are small, brown birds with distinctively thick, black bills. They primarily feed on crustaceans like fiddler crabs, often hunting in short bursts along mud flats and intertidal pools. These plovers are strictly coastal birds, nesting on beaches, dunes, and salt flats. Wilson’s plovers are found along both United States coasts, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the upper parts of South America.

Learn why Wilson’s plovers will soon get a new name>>>

At the start of the breeding season, Wilson’s plovers make shallow depressions in the sand called nest scrapes, often surrounded by sparse vegetation. 

“They start making nest scrapes in mid- to late-March and have eggs by early April,” said Shorebird Biologist Audrey Albrecht. “Each clutch has three eggs, with both parents incubating and sharing parental duties.”

Following 25 days of incubating, the eggs hatch, and the chicks are up and running soon after. The chicks will still rely on their parents for protection from predators, and fledge anywhere from three to five weeks after hatching.

SCCF has been monitoring Wilson’s plovers for over a decade, with consistent nesting on North Captiva and Bunche Beach. 

“They haven’t nested on Sanibel or Captiva since 2021 due to changes in habitat and predation pressure,” said Albrecht.

Requests have been submitted to list the Wilson’s plover as a state-threatened bird in Florida. Last month, SCCF rescued a distressed female Wilson’s plover on Bunche Beach; she underwent rehab at CROW and was successfully rereleased. 

“With recent sightings of Wilson’s plovers on Sanibel, we’re hoping these wonderful birds will start making nests once again,” she added.

Help Protect Wilson’s Plovers & Other Beach-Nesting Birds

• Obey signs at posted nesting areas
• Keep your dog on a controlled leash
• Observe birds from an appropriate distance
• Properly dispose of trash and fishing materials
• Advocate for the protection of coastal habitats 

Learn more about SCCF’s shorebird monitoring program>>>