This bird is between six to eight inches in size. At every stage of this bird's life, the head and breast are white. Immature Piping Plovers are duller in color.
Breeding range includes the eastern coastline and central area of North America.
This plover does not spend a great deal of time on nest preparation. Nests tend to be no more than a mere depression in the sand, above the tideline with sparse linings consisting of seashells and decaying vegetation. Both the nest and plover inhabit white sand, which blends in with the Piping Plover's natural colours for camouflage. White sand beaches are also recreational centres for humans. Signs have been placed in some white sand breeding areas warning people to go no further.