Piping Plover Fledgling
Charadrius melodus (fledgling)
Fledglings live on the same sandy beaches, tidal flats, and lakeshores as adults but are still improving their flight and foraging skills. They chase small insects, larvae, spiders, and beach invertebrates with quick stop-and-run movements. Their growing wings let them escape more danger than chicks, though they still rely heavily on mottled plumage and open-ground speed. Young birds may make short, awkward flights before becoming fully independent.
- Type
- Swift
- Conservation status
- NT
Growth chain
- Piping Plover Chick
- Piping Plover Fledgling
- Piping Plover