European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) सुनहरी तीतरी - Birds Around Me 0273

The European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria), known descriptively in Hindi as सुनहरी तीतरी, is a graceful wader that inhabits the open landscapes of Europe and parts of western Asia. Its name reflects the bird’s most striking feature—golden speckled plumage that glitters in sunlight, giving it a jewel‑like appearance against grassy moors and tundra.  

European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) सुनहरी तीतरी 
Iceland, July 2025

Medium‑sized, measuring about 26–29 cm in length with a wingspan of 67–76 cm, the European Golden Plover has a compact body, short bill, and long wings. In breeding plumage, adults display a dazzling pattern: golden and black mottling on the back, with a bold black face, throat, and belly sharply bordered by white. Outside the breeding season, the plumage becomes more subdued, with softer browns and gold flecks that provide excellent camouflage.  

European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) सुनहरी तीतरी 
Iceland, July 2025

This species breeds in the Arctic tundra, moorlands, and upland grasslands of northern Europe, nesting on the ground in shallow scrapes. The female lays 3–4 eggs, and both parents share incubation duties. After breeding, the birds migrate southwards, wintering in milder climates across western Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa. Unlike its close relative, the Pacific Golden Plover, the European species is not a regular visitor to India.  

European Golden Plovers feed mainly on insects, worms, and other invertebrates, probing soil and vegetation with their short bill. During migration and winter, they also consume seeds and berries. They are often seen in flocks, sometimes mixing with other waders, and their clear, whistling calls carry across open landscapes.  

Though listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the species faces pressures from habitat loss, climate change, and agricultural expansion. For birdwatchers, the सुनहरी तीतरी is a symbol of northern wilderness—its shimmering plumage and resilient migrations embody the beauty and endurance of Europe’s avian heritage.  

Hindi Name of European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria): सुनहरी तीतरी

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Ashutosh Jhureley @BirdsAroundMe

European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) सुनहरी तीतरी 
Iceland, July 2025

European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) सुनहरी तीतरी 
Iceland, July 2025