Living On The Edge

Introduction

Species in Recovery

Success Stories

Endangered Animals

Endangered Plants

Counties were Species
Can be viewed

Description: A small pale-colored shorebird – six to seven inches – the piping plover has a narrow black breastband which is often incomplete. During the breeding season, the adults have orange legs and a black bar across the forehead.

Habitat and Habits: The piping plover nests on sandbars in rivers and sandy beaches bordering lakes, reservoirs and the Atlantic Ocean. Nests are placed above the recent high-water mark and are usually in bare to very sparsely vegetated areas. Normal clutch size is four eggs and the incubation period is about 27 days. Both parents take care of the young. Young birds are able to fly in about 30 days. Piping plovers in the Midwest feed on insects, crustaceans and mollusks on the edge of the water on sandbars and beaches.

Photographer: Wayne Hathaway

Distribution: The historical and current distribution of breeding piping plovers includes the following three areas: the Atlantic Coast from Newfoundland to North Carolina; the Great Lakes; and the northern Great Plains of the United States and Canada.

In Iowa there are only two known breeding sites: One near Council Bluffs and one near Sioux City. Both sites are fly-ash deposits associated with power plants. Historically, piping plovers nested in at least two other locations along the Missouri River. The loss of sandbar habitat to channelization and stabilization of the river destroyed this nesting habitat.

Conservation Efforts: MidAmerican Energy Company continues protecting the two known nesting areas on their property. Government agencies are also cooperating to create and protect other habitats along the Missouri River.

Reasons for Listing: The loss of sandbars along the Missouri River due to channelization and stabilization of the river has destroyed the natural nesting sites in Iowa.