Snowy Plover vs Andean Lapwing

Charadrius nivosus compared with Vanellus resplendens

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Snowy Plover Andean Lapwing
Scientific Name Charadrius nivosus Vanellus resplendens
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Charadriidae Charadriidae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 20.5 cm (8.1 in) 43.5 cm (17.1 in)
Weight 45.25 g (1.60 oz) 211.5 g (7.46 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-6 3-4
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Snowy Plover only

Andean Lapwing only

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Snowy Plover

Least Concern

Andean Lapwing

About These Birds

Snowy Plover

Snowy Plover: 15–17 cm, pale sandy-white North American plover with dark partial breast-band patches and dark bill. Breeds on sandy beaches, salt flats, and alkali lake shores in North America, Caribbean, and western South America; partly migratory. Insectivorous. NT. Vulnerable to beach recreation, storm wash-over, and predation.

Andean Lapwing

Andean Lapwing: 29–32 cm, large lapwing of the high Andes with grey head, white supercilium, metallic green upperparts, and red-and-yellow bill. Resident on puna grassland, bogs, and lake margins from Colombia to northern Argentina at 3,000–4,800 m. Insectivorous. Sedentary high-altitude specialist. Often encountered near Andean wetlands.

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