PIPING PLOVER, TIGERTAIL BEACH, MARCO ISLAND, FL

   We can ID this plover as a Piping Plover as follows:

• Small and stocky with short and thick bill.
• Dull gray-brown above and white below.
• Orange legs.
• Dark eye isolated on pale face.
• The nonbreeding Piping Plover has an all black bill.  This bill is starting at the base to turn the orange of the breeding plover.