The Sultanate of Oman's beaches host a variety of bird species including the Grey Plover (Scientific name: Pluvialis squatarola).
A passerine bird that can be seen naturally on beaches and wetlands, this bird is found along the coastline of the Sultanate of Oman from the far north to the far south.
It is found in large numbers especially in in Bar Al Hikman (Al Wusta Governorate) and Masirah Island ( Al Sharqiyah South Governorate), but its numbers are less in other coastal areas.
The Grey Plover is a chunky plover, larger than the similar golden plover. The grey plover can be found along the coast, preferring sandy and muddy estuaries.
Although a small number of birds stay during summer, this is really a winter migrant, arriving here from July, peaking in autumn, and leaving from April onwards the following year.
Like other plovers, it forages for marine invertebrates and crustaceans in a particular way: standing and watching, running forward, pecking, then standing still again.
The grey plover is similar to the golden plover, but is bigger and greyer, with a sturdier black bill and long black legs. It has a spotted, white and silvery-grey back, and pale grey and white underparts.
In spring, adults sport a black throat, chest and belly as they make their way north to their breeding grounds.
Researches indicate that the length of this bird ranges from 26 to 29 cm and his wingspan 77 cm and its weight 240 gramme. Its average lifespan 9 years. It has been classified in some countries such as UK an endangered bird.
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY YAHYA ALSALMANI
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