• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a large geographic range size (extent of occurrence >17 million km² in both the breeding and non-breeding seasons), and so does not approach Criterion B thresholds. It also has a large population size estimated at 500,000-1,000,000 mature individuals, and so does not approach Criteria C or D thresholds. Considering its population trend over three generations (c. 11 years), the data presented in Smith et al. (2023) indicate a slow decline of c. 14%, although the underlying interannual trend data suggest that numbers at the end of that study period (in 2019) were similar to the medium-term average. There is some evidence of similar slow declines from the Pacific coast (Migratory Shorebird Project, unpublished data) and from the Breeding Bird Survey (Ziolkowski et al. 2022), although the latter also suggests stability in recent years, while the Christmas Bird Count (Meehan et al. 2022) has recorded a sustained increase. While the population is precautionarily suspected to be declining, there is no evidence that the population is declining at a rate approaching Criterion A thresholds. Hence, the species continues to warrant listing as Least Concern.

Population justification
Based on PRISM surveys, the population in the Canadian Arctic was estimated to number c.600,000 breeding birds (Bart et al. in prep.). In Alaska, USA, similar surveys found 31,000, but large portions of both countries were not surveyed. Bart et al. (in prep.) used a total estimate of 800,000 but conceded that this 'may represent an overestimate if key habitats were not searched uniformly', and in any instance this total represents a considerable increase on the 200,000 estimated by Andres et al. (2012). To account for these uncertainties, the global population size is estimated to be 500,000-1,000,000.

Trend justification
Considering its population trend over three generations (c. 11 years), the data presented in Smith et al. (2023) indicate a decline of c. 14%, although the underlying interannual trend data suggest that numbers at the end of that study period (in 2019) were similar to the medium-term average. There is some evidence of similarly slow declines from the Pacific coast (Migratory Shorebird Project, unpublished data) and from the Breeding Bird Survey (Ziolkowski et al. 2022), although the latter also suggests stability in recent years, while the Christmas Bird Count (Meehan et al. 2022) has recorded a sustained increase. Overall the trend is precautionarily determined to be declining.

Breeds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic of Canada and northern USA. Birds migrate southwards on a broad front to winter on coastlines throughout North, Central and South America (Colwell and Haig 2019).

Breeds in well-drained gravel or shale areas in subarctic and low-arctic regions, sand dunes, rocky beaches, and inland heath-lichen tundra. On migration, used mudflats, salt marshes with mussel beds, beaches, agricultural fields, tidal mudflats, flooded fields, sewage lagoons, and sandy flats. In the wintering range favours coastal areas, sandy and muddy beaches, mudflats, estuaries, lakes, marshes, tidal pools, agricultural fields, sewage ponds, and managed wetlands (Nol and Blanken 2020).

Climate change is plausibly a threat to this species, although the mechanisms and timing by which this could impact it remain obscure (Senner et al. 2016, Previdi et al. 2021).

Development poses a significant threat to C. semipalmatus by encroaching on coastal habitats such as beaches, mudflats, marshes, and wetlands, as well as interior wetlands and lakes. This competition for space intensifies with economic growth, tourism, and urbanisation, leading to habitat destruction, fragmentation, and increased disturbance at essential feeding, roosting, and breeding sites (Senner et al. 2016). Coastal development and water abstraction for agriculture and urban areas further exacerbate habitat loss. While breeding habitat remains relatively stable in the sub-Arctic, coastal areas from South Carolina to Florida have experienced increased development pressures (Rose and Nol 2010). Additionally managed water habitats such as wetlands are diminishing due to climate change impacts and competition for water resources. Trapping of this species for food has been documented in Guyana (Andres et al. 2022) and likely takes placed in other parts of its non-breeding range (see, also, AFSI 2020) but the spatial extent of this threat is poorly documented.
The extent to which any of these threats are driving the suspected declines however, is unknown.

Conservation Actions Underway
Protected in U.S. and Canada under the 1927 Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  Listed in Appendix II of CMS.

Conservation Actions Proposed
This plover undertakes long-distance migrations along established routes annually, necessitating the protection of staging areas crucial for rest and feeding. Management goals aim to safeguard these essential sites from human disturbances to ensure uninterrupted access to food and rest. Monitoring should continue.

The small Semipalmated Plover measures 170–190 mm in length and weighs approximately 47 g. During the breeding season (Alternate plumage), it displays medium brown upperparts and white underparts with a distinctive white collar around the neck, bordered by a single black breast-band that encircles the neck. The forehead is white, the forecrown and sides of the head are black, and there is a narrow postocular stripe in white. The wings and tail are dark, with a narrow white stripe along the base of the wing among the remiges. Its bill is short and stubby, black with a yellow to orange base, and its legs are short and dull yellow to orange. The bare skin around the eye is also yellow to orange, forming a narrow eye-ring (Nol and Blanken 2020).

Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Chad, E.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/semipalmated-plover-charadrius-semipalmatus on 24/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 24/11/2024.