Phegornis mitchellii (Fraser, 1845)

Taxonomy and Basic Measurements

The diademed sandpiper-plover, with the scientific name Phegornis mitchellii (Fraser, 1845), measures 16.5 to 19 cm (6.5 to 7.5 in) long and weighs 28 to 46 g (0.99 to 1.6 oz). Males and females have identical plumage. This species has a black, slightly decurved bill, and orange legs and feet.

Adult Head Markings

Adult diademed sandpiper-plovers have a black face marked with a wide white supercilium that extends around the back of the head. Their crown is black, their nape is bright rufous, most of their upperparts are dark brownish gray, and their rump and uppertail coverts are black. Their tail is black with white feather tips.

Adult Underparts

Their throat is white, their chest, belly, and flanks have black and white barring, and their vent and undertail coverts are plain white.

Juvenile Plumage

Juveniles are much duller in color than adults; their upperparts are mostly brownish gray with cinnamon speckles and bars, their supercilium is grayish, and their nape has a wash of cinnamon or rufous.

Distribution Range

The diademed sandpiper-plover is distributed in the Andes, from the Department of Junín in central Peru south through western Bolivia to central Chile and south-central Argentina. It is a habitat specialist that occurs almost exclusively in peatlands and bogs located between the frost line and snow line.

Habitat Characteristics

This habitat is characterized by a network of grassy banks interspersed with long streams and vernal pools. In Peru, the species occurs at elevations between 4,100 and 5,000 m (13,500 and 16,400 ft), while in the southern portion of its range it can be found as low as 2,000 m (6,600 ft).