Black-bellied Plover

Black-bellied Plover

I've been seeing a lot of Black-bellied Plovers at Canaveral National Seashore and the rest of Merritt Island recently.  In the winter time, you might wonder why they have their name, since their bellies look anything but black.  But in their breeding plumage, all becomes clear.  This Fall, I've seen several in various stages of returning to their "basic" plumage--it's so nice to see a black belly on a Black-bellied Plover.

Black-bellied Plover

Black-bellied Plover

Black-bellied Plover

Black-bellied Plover

Black-bellied Plover