A quiet stretch of Brazilian beach early in the morning, before umbrellas and voices take over, I walk with my camera along the shore. Besides some regular coastal birds I notice a small, pale shorebird standing not too far from the waterline. It pauses, runs a few steps, then stops again, alert and watchful. Many beachgoers would pass without noticing it, but for a bird enthusiast like me this moment is rewarding. The bird is Wilson’s Plover (Anarhynchus wilsonia or Charadrius wilsonia), a not expected but subtle yet important member of Brazil’s coastal avifauna. Wilson’s Plover are supposed to occur regularly along much of the Brazilian coastline, particularly in the northeast – but I did not expect it in the austral winter (northern summer) in August here in Brazil.
In Brazil, it is considered a coastal resident, although population density varies geographically. The species is more frequently recorded in the Northeast, including states such as Ceará, Maranhão, Pará, Rio Grande do Norte, where suitable open sandy habitats are extensive. Records along the Southeast coast down to Bahia are less abundant but consistent, especially in protected or less disturbed areas. Recent records from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are missing.
Unlike some Nearctic shorebirds that appear only during migration or the non-breeding season, Wilson’s Plover maintains year-round presence in parts of Brazil. This continuous occurrence suggests that Brazilian populations are either resident or part of short-distance regional movements within South America.
It is therefore all the more surprising that I found a scientific report on the breeding of Wilson’s Plover with new locations in Brazil online, which dates back only to 2020. The report mentions the first confirmed breeding record of this species on the island of Coroa do Avião off the coast of Pernambuco, as well as in the estuary of the Cardoso and Camurupim rivers off the coast of Piauí in northeastern Brazil. The article said, that this would extending the known area of reproduction of this species in this region. One breeding pair was observed on October 29th 2014 on Coroa do Avião Island, and a second pair was recorded on April 6th 2016 in the Cardoso/Camurupim estuary on the Piauí coast. Insofar the occurrence of this plover on the Praia da Corvina, Salinópolis in the state of Pará might show a rare but consistent contribution to the distribution pattern of Wilson’s Plover in Brazil.
There is no evidence of long transcontinental migration for these birds along the Brazilian coast.
Seasonal patterns in Wilson’s Plover abundance are subtle but detectable. During the austral spring and summer, which correspond to the breeding season, birds are more territorial and often observed in pairs. Nesting typically occurs directly on sandy substrates, making detection difficult and increasing vulnerability to disturbance.
In the austral autumn and winter, individuals may form small, loose groups and expand their foraging range along beaches and estuarine margins. While overall numbers may appear higher outside the breeding season, this likely reflects increased visibility rather than true population growth.
Wilson’s Plover shows a strong preference for open, sparsely vegetated coastal environments. Typical habitats include ocean beaches, sand flats, dune systems, and sandy margins of coastal lagoons and estuaries. The species avoids heavily vegetated shorelines and rocky coasts.
Critical habitat features include dry sand above the high-tide line for nesting and nearby wet sand or shallow water for foraging. Human disturbance, particularly from recreational beach use, off-road vehicles, and coastal development, poses a significant challenge. Because nests are shallow scrapes with minimal camouflage, they are easily trampled or destroyed.
Within coastal avian societies, Wilson’s Plover occupies a mid-level ecological role. It primarily feeds on small invertebrates such as crabs, insects, and mollusks, contributing to the regulation of intertidal invertebrate populations. Its foraging behavior overlaps with that of other small plovers, such as the Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris), but niche separation occurs through differences in prey size and microhabitat use.
The presence of Wilson’s Plover is often an indicator of relatively intact beach ecosystems. Where it persists, other sensitive shorebird species are frequently present as well. For conservation-minded observers, its continued occurrence along the Brazilian coast serves as both a point of interest and a reminder of the fragility of coastal habitats.
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