American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica), Petrified Forest National Park, Painted Desert Complex, Apache County

This American Golden-Plover was found and photographed by Andy Bridges on 11 June 2018

Casual migrant with about 50 records.

Extensive golden speckling on the upperparts rules out similar Black-bellied Plover. Separating Pacific and American Golden-Plover can be tricky.  This bird has the long wings and short tertials typical of American Golden-Plover, as well as the buldging white stripe that goes to the shoulder and not along flanks.

11 June 2018, photo by Andy Bridges

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer