European Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricaria
The European golden plover, also known as the Eurasian golden plover, or just the golden plover within Europe, is a relatively large species of plover. This species is similar to two other golden plovers, the American golden plover, Pluvialis dominica, and Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva, which are both slightly smaller, slimmer and longer-legged than European golden plover, and both have grey rather than white axillary (armpit) feathers.
91
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_golden_plover
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Charadriidae
Genus
Pluvialis
European Golden Plover belongs to the family Charadriidae, order Charadriiformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The European golden plover, also known as the Eurasian golden plover, or just the golden plover within Europe, is a relatively large species of plover. This species is similar to two other golden plovers, the American golden plover, Pluvialis dominica, and Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva, which are both slightly smaller, slimmer and longer-legged than European golden plover, and both have grey rather than white axillary (armpit) feathers.
The European Golden Plover faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat loss from agricultural intensification and afforestation of its breeding moorlands and tundra. Climate change is shifting suitable habitat northward while coastal development and disturbance threaten critical wintering and stopover sites along migration routes.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Breeds on upland moorlands, peatlands, and Arctic tundra with short vegetation and scattered pools. Winters on coastal mudflats, estuaries, short grasslands, and agricultural fields, particularly favoring areas with soft substrates for foraging.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The European Golden Plover faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat loss from agricultural intensification and afforestation of its breeding moorlands and tundra. Climate change is shifting suitable habitat northward while coastal development and disturbance threaten critical wintering and stopover sites along migration routes.
Afforestation of moorland breeding habitat
Agricultural intensification and grassland conversion
Climate change altering tundra and moorland ecosystems
Coastal development destroying wintering habitat
Human disturbance at roosting and feeding sites
Found in 91 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/european-golden-plover