American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica), Rimmy Jim Tank, Coconino County

This American Golden-Plover was found by Brooks Hart on 17 May 2017 and photographed by Jason Wilder on 22 May 2017

Note that the bird was on private property that is accessible only with permission of the land-owner (Babbitt Ranches).

Casual migrant (less than 50 records for the state), with few from northern 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 and structure of the bird.

22 May 2017, photo by Jason Wilder

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