Scientific name: Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus, 1758
Bird group: Waders
Field characters. 16 cm. Differs from Great Ringed Plover and Little Ringed Plover in paler upperparts, black bill and legs, less extensive black markings on head, and small dusky patches on sides of breast (instead of full pectoral band). Male with white forehead and black mark on forecrown; rest of crown and nape orange-rufous; narrow black line through eye with white line above it. Female lacks dark mark on forecrown and rufous crown; breast patches and band through eye dusky brown. In flight, shows a narrow white wing-bar as in Great Ringed Plover, but upperparts paler and sides of dark tail white. Outside the breeding season both sexes duller and male without rufous crown. Juvenile with dark legs and without obvious chest-patches; upperparts grey-brown, forehead white.
Voice. Common call is a quiet "wit-wit-wit" and a whistling "poo-eet"; alarm call "kittup". Song is a slurred trill.
Distribution. Scarce breeding bird.
Habitat. Primarily a bird of shingly and sandy beaches or flats, mainly along sea coast but also in suitable inland habitats.
Food. Feeding method involves running, stopping, and pecking. Feeds on insects, crustaceans, worms, and molluscs.