Late November 2008- the first American Golden Plover for Israel?

The early winter show was stolen by an interesting plover found at Maagan Michael that was subsequently identified as an American Golden Plover – Pluvialis dominica, a potential first for Israel.              

It all started when Asaf Mayrose and Shai Agmon of the MM team reported a Pacific Golden Plover at the fishponds on Nov 21st. The initial observations were in flight and distant and the bird was identified as a Pacific Golden Plover, a good rarity for Israel. Luckily the bird stuck around and several people saw and photographed the bird.

Some of the images were posted on various birding websites and it was then that the idea of the bird being an American Golden Plover came up. The first to question the id was James Smith, from his house in the US. James raised some interesting points and basically identified the bird as a juvenile American Golden Plover, a potential first for the country. The American Golden Plover remained loyal to Maagan Michael fishponds and allowed many people to further observe and photograph it, thus learning more about this interesting species complex.

I only made it to Maagan Michael on Dec. 1st and enjoyed great views of the bird with other birders. Having seen Pacific Golden Plover a few times and many AGP in the US and Canada I was very happy with the bird being a rather straightforward juv. American Golden Plover.

Identification of the more common juvenile pluvialis Plovers vs. American Golden Plover:

It is important to note that Juvenile Golden Plovers of all species are quite similar. When encountering a juvenile pluvialis in Israel, 4 species are possible. Grey and Golden Plover, which are common, Pacific Golden Plover which is quite rare but annual, and the most remote option is American Golden Plover.

Before delving into the finer details, it is important to focus on 2 major points: the overall color of the bird and the overall structure. Grey Plover is easily identified by its cold tones and bulky head, bill and body. The other 3 species are warmer toned and more delicately built. (European) Golden Plover is distinctly golden toned, even in Juvenal plumage and shows moderately long wings and tail. Golden Plover is easily separated from the other 3 species in flight, showing clean white axillaries. Grey Plover in flight is separated from the other species by showing clean black axillaries.

If faced with a juvenile Pluvialis Plover in Israel with a rather delicate build, slight golden tones and grey brown axillaries, you have either a rare Pacific Golden Plover, or as in this case a mega, an American Golden Plover.

The separation of the 2 species is difficult and requires good views and experience. Once again plumage details are important as is the structure of the bird. In general American Golden Plover is colder toned and slightly heavier in build than Pacific Golden. A good analogy to use when judging the general appearance of the 2 species would be that American Golden is reminiscent of a Grey Plover in tones and build, and Pacific Golden Plover is closer to the Golden Plover complex in appearance.

Juvenile AmericanGolden Plover is identified by several important plumage features. The head pattern of American Golden Plover is quite unique. It shows a bright supercillium especially broad above the eye that is enhanced by the dark "Loral smudge" ,that also slightly swallows up the ear patch.

The Maagan Michael bird is actually rather bright for an American Golden Plover, showing nice golden spangling especially on the rump, but the lack of gold wash especially in the upper breast, throat and face and generally cold mantle is better for AGP than for Pacific.

Structure wise American Golden Plover is a very long winged bird, and this is evident with 4 or even 5 primaries projecting beyond the tertials. Pacific Golden Plover is also rather long winged but shows only 2-3 exposed primaries at best giving it a less attenuated look. Some use the legs structure to help in separating the 2 species, but I find that misleading. Although Pacific is very long legged, especially in the tibia, American is also long legged and posture can greatly affect this feature.

In conclusion, thanks to James Smith's awareness and keen eye it was possible for many Israeli birders to learn about this interesting complex and to keep an eye open for more improbable vagrants to show up.  

We thank Amir Ben Dov for his great images.

Stay posted for more news from the field.

Jonathan Meyrav

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