Golden Plover Watching in Oregon

The Golden Plover can be found in many parts of the world, and the ones you'll find in Oregon are known as the Pacific Golden Plover and the American Golden Plover, which are a bit smaller than the ones found in Europe and Asia. These shorebirds are famous for having one of the longest migratory routes of any bird, with a round-trip of around 25,000 miles each year. They spend summers in the Arctic Tundra of Alaska and Canada, and when it's winter in North America the American Golden Plovers are in Patagonia near the southern tip of South America, while the Pacific Golden Plovers winter in California, Hawaii, Australia, or southern Asia.Both are about 10 inches long and have relatively short necks and long legs compared to most other shorebirds. They primarily eat insects, but are also known to eat seeds and even berries.

Habitats for Golden Plovers

During their spring and fall migration periods they are usually found within 60 miles or so of the coast, and they are typically seen in large open areas, including fields, farms, and even golf courses.

Best seasons to see Golden Plovers in Oregon

The Golden Plovers found in Oregon have erratic migration schedules, with older ones usually appearing early in fall, and younger ones later in the season, and a similar variance in their return in the spring.

Golden Plovers in Oregon summary

Typical habitat: Open fields near the ocean
Seasons: Spring and fall migration
Abundance: Present, but uncommon in Oregon

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Oregon's Washington County Slideshow: A trip from Portland, Oregon, United States to 12 cities including Hillsboro, Tigard, Beaverton, Wilsonville and Forest Grove was created by TripAdvisor.