Pluvianellidae – Magellanic plover

On the brink of disappearance due to habitat destruction, global warming, and overgrazing

The Magellanic plover is only found on South America’s southernmost tip. This dove-shaped wader possesses physical and behavioral characteristics similar to turnstones, such as twisting seaweeds and stones to access invertebrates.

The Magellanic plover is in short supply. The degradation of natural grassland in Patagonia by livestock has harmed its nesting environment, and the nests are threatened by grazing animals trampling them. This species is particularly threatened because of human disturbance and predation by cats and dogs and pollution destroying estuarine habitats. It is now classed as Near threatened on the IUCN Red List.