Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva), Goldman Dairy Sludge Ponds, Pinal County

This Pacific Golden-Plover was found and photographed by Doug Jenness on 24 July 2019

Casual in Arizona with only 3 previous reports accepted by the ABC, though this is the second for Pinal County. All were reported between late June and mid-September.

Molting Golden-Plovers are notoriously difficult to identify and some individuals may not be identifiable in the field. Primary projection, one of the most reliable features, is not visible in these photos (also beware of molting birds). The long legs, even width white flanks connecting to the neck and lacking a distinct bulge at the top of the breast, and nearly all white undertail coverts indicate Pacific over American. This individual was voice recorded giving typical Pacific Golden-Plover calls. More information on identification can be found here.

24 July 2019, photo by Doug Jenness

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