This shot was taken several days ago at Ft. Desoto in the early morning. It is a Blackbellied Plover but the question is ... is this an adult or juvenile, breeding, non breeding or about to be breeding. :2We usually do see these birds with the black bellies at this time of year but not as frequently as a bird in this plummage or paler.
Hi Ann- It's spring and this bird breeds in the high Arctic of Canada and Alaska so it's pre-breeding bird. In spring they are moving north from wintering grounds as far away as South America. The bird could have been a chick from 2010 because I think they are capable of breeding in their second year of life. The bird appears to be just moulting into its alternate or breeding plumage based on the black feathers coming in on the face and breast. Timing of moult varies between individuals and it is common to get early and late ones. Young birds usually do things like moulting later than adults.