Common name: Kentish Plover
Scientific name: Charadrius alexandrinus
Family: Charadriidae

Size:
Body length: 15–17 cm
Wingspan: 42–48 cm
Weight: 35–55 g

Identification:
A small, delicate plover with a slender build and relatively long legs. In breeding plumage, the male shows a white forehead, black ear patches, and a broken dark breast band on the sides of the chest. The upperparts are sandy-brown, blending well with coastal habitats. Females and non-breeding birds are duller with reduced markings. The bill is short and black, and the legs are dark to greyish.

Habitat:
Coastal areas such as sandy beaches, mudflats, saltpans, and lagoons. Also found in inland saline flats.

Status in the UAE:
Common resident and breeder, as well as a winter visitor. Widely distributed along coastal and inland saline habitats.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on small invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and worms.

Behavior:
Often seen running along the shoreline, stopping suddenly to pick prey. Well camouflaged against sandy backgrounds. Usually solitary or in small groups. Nests directly on the ground, often in open, exposed areas.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)