Birds of North America Illustrations

American Golden-Plover: Medium-sized sandpiper with black face and underparts. Back is dark brown with yellow spots; has a white S-shaped mark along head and sides. Markings provide camouflage to blend in with tundra breeding grounds. Bill is black, thin, and short. Sexes are similar, but female has less black. Winter adult and juvenile are brown overall with darker upperparts and lack distinctive black-and-white markings.