Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Western Snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Aves
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: Charadriidae

Listing Status:   

General Information

The western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) is a small shorebird distinguished from other plovers (family Charadriidae) by its small size, pale brown upper parts, dark patches on either side of the upper breast, and dark gray to blackish legs. Snowy plovers weigh between 1.2 and 2 ounces. They are about 5.9 to 6.6 inches long.

Map of Species occurrence

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Map Image Map of Species occurrence Map of Species occurrence

This map represents our best available information about where a species is currently known to or or is believed to occur; however, it should NOT be used as an official species list for Section 7 Consultation purposes. To obtain an official species list for this purpose, please visit the Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) System (click here: http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac)



  • States/US Territories in which the Western Snowy plover, Pacific coastal pop. is known to or is believed to occur:  California , Oregon , Washington
  • US Counties in which the Western Snowy plover, Pacific coastal pop. is known to or is believed to occur:  View All
  • USFWS Refuges in which the Western Snowy plover, Pacific coastal pop. is known to occur:  BANDON MARSH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, DON EDWARDS SAN FRANCISCO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, GUADALUPE-NIPOMO DUNES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, HUMBOLDT BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, SALINAS RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE  ... Show All Refuges
  • Countries in which the the Western Snowy plover, Pacific coastal pop. is known to occur:  Mexico
  • For more information:  http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/life_histories/B07C.html
Current Listing Status Summary
Status Date Listed Lead Region Where Listed
03/05/1993 California/Nevada Region (Region 8) U.S.A. (CA, OR, WA), Mexico (within 50 miles of Pacific coast)

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 25: view all)
Date Citation Page Title
06/19/2012 77 FR 36727 36869 Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover; Final Rule
01/17/2012 77 FR 2243 2254 Designation of Critical Habitat and Taxonomic Revision for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover:Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.
05/25/2011 76 FR 30377 30382 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of Species in California, Nevada, and the Klamath Basin of Oregon
03/22/2011 76 FR 16045 16165 Revised Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover; Proposed Rule
11/05/2007 72 FR 62485 62486 Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Habitat Conservation Plan for the Western Snowy Plover Along the Oregon Coast
Most Recent Special Rule Publications (Showing 1 of 1)
Date Citation Page Title
04/21/2006 71 FR 20625 20636 Proposed Special Rule Pursuant to Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act for the Pacific Coast Distinct Population Segment of the Western Snowy Plover

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
09/24/2007 Final Recovery Plan for the Western Snowy Plover View Implementation Progress Final
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 5 of 6: view all)
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
05/25/2011 76 FR 30377 30382 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of Species in California, Nevada, and the Klamath Basin of Oregon
  • Notice 5-year Review, Initiation
    • 09/24/2007 72 FR 54279 54280 Recovery Plan for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover
  • Notice Final Recovery Plan Availability
    • 02/14/2007 72 FR 7064 7084 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 58 Species in California and Nevada; Availability of Completed 5-Year Reviews in California and Nevada
  • Notice 5-year Review, Completion
    • 08/16/2005 70 FR 48094 48098 Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover: notice of availability of draft economic analysis.
  • Notice Doc. Availability
    • 03/22/2004 69 FR 13326 13329 90-Day Finding on a Petition to Delist the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover and Initiation of a 5-Year Review
  • Notice 5-year Review
  • Notice 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial
    • Five Year Review
    Date Title
    05/31/2006 Western Snowy Plover - Pacific Coast Population 5-Year Review

    » Critical Habitat

    Current Critical Habitat Documents (Showing 5 of 6: view all)
    Date Citation Page Title Document Type Status
    06/19/2012 77 FR 36727 36869 Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover; Final Rule Final Rule Final designated
    03/22/2011 76 FR 16045 16165 Revised Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover; Proposed Rule Proposed Rule Not Required
    09/29/2005 70 FR 56970 57119 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover; Final Rule Final Rule Not Required
    12/17/2004 69 FR 75608 75656 Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover; Proposed Rule Proposed Rule Not Required
    12/07/1999 64 FR 68508 68544 ETWP; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover Final Rule Not Required

    To learn more about critical habitat please see http://criticalhabitat.fws.gov

    » Conservation Plans

    Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) (learn more) (Showing 5 of 11: view all)
    HCP Plan Summaries
    Cal. Dept. of Corrections Statewide Electrified Fence Project
    Humboldt Redwood Company (formerly Pacific Lumber, Headwaters)
    Kern Water Bank
    MHCP, City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan
    MSCP, City of Chula Vista Subarea Plan
    Safe Harbor Agreements (SHA): (learn more) (Showing 1 of 1)
    SHA Plan Summaries
    Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Ormond Beach Property

    » Petitions

    Most Recent Petition Findings (Showing 3 of 3)
    Date Citation Page Title Finding
    04/21/2006 71 FR 20607 20624 12-Month Finding on a Petition to Delist the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover
  • Notice 12 month petition finding, Not warranted
    • 03/22/2004 69 FR 13326 13329 90-Day Finding on a Petition to Delist the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover and Initiation of a 5-Year Review
  • Notice 5-year Review
  • Notice 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial
    • 11/14/1988 53 FR 45788 Findings on Petitions to List Populations of Western Snowy Plover & CA Mountain Lion; 53 FR 45788
  • Notice 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial

    • » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: February 15, 2013