Pacific Golden-Plover

The Pacific golden plover is a medium-sized migratory plover that breeds in summer in Alaska and Siberia and migrates widely across the Pacific in the non-breeding season. Adults are about 25 cm long with a wingspan averaging 61 cm. Lean birds weigh about 135 g, rising to about 200 g before the flight north (Wikipedia, general species account). In breeding plumage the male is spotted gold and black on the crown, back and wings, with a black face, neck and breast bordered in white. (Wikipedia, general species account).

Molt to breeding plumage begins in March and April, prior to migration. Molt to nonbreeding plumage begins in the Arctic during egg incubation. During the breeding season, the Arctic tundra provides insects and berries for food, and effective camouflage for predator avoidance. Some observers name and feed their birds, and some birds become tame around their caretakers. The male builds a nest of lichen, moss, and grasses, in shallow scrapes on the ground in a dry open area. (Wikipedia, general species account).