Species:

Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)

Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)

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Length (cm):
26-29
60-87
Wingspan (cm):
67-76
87-125
Weight (gram):
160-280
1500-5000
Size group:
Thrush-size
Bigger than a crow
Main Texts:
Appearance:

Unmistakable in breeding plumage with golden, speckled upperparts and white-bordered black throat and belly. Male generally blacker than female, but due to regional differences, some females may be darker than males from other areas. Juveniles and birds in winter plumage, lacks the black underparts, and could be mistaken for Grey Plover. Differs from that species in more golden coloured back, less heavy bill and neck and by being slightly smaller. In flight easily told apart from Grey Plover, Pacific Golden Plover and American Golden Plover by white axillaries.

Sound:

Most common call at breeding ground a disyllabic, melancholic and wailing whistle with the end falling in pitch. In song flight also a trilling, warbling and cyclic "preecaria-preecaria-preecaria". Contact call a straight, short "kluee".

Contact call at breeding ground:

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Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Appearance:

Very large and heavy bird with heavy bill and rounded tail with straight outer tail-feathers. Both sexes lack wing-bars. Males much bigger than females. Plumage mostly black with brown wings and yellowish bill. Females mottled brown with brick-red breast, throat and chin. Lower back greyish, contrasting with rufous, heavily barred, tail.

Sound:

Display-sounds from male unmistakable. Four phased song: First a slow introductory, double-tapping phase which suddenly bursts into an accelerating crescendo followed by a distinct pop. Then closing with grinding and hissing sounds. Female calls with a deep nasal "kok kok".

Song/display:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Hannu Jännes, Licence,Link.

Similar species (image):
Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Waders
Silhouette
Grouse-like
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Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file