This was well up on the beach away from any summer high tides. The area was roped off and signed by a wildlife agency. Plovers differ from other shorebirds in their pigeon-like bills, which are constricted at the base and slightly swollen near the tip. The bill is shorter than the head. The small, round crown, large eyes, and plump body adds to the dove-like appearance.
Many plovers have black breast bands.
Several other species of shorebirds may resemble Snowy Plovers. These include Semipalmated Plovers and Sanderlings, which are both more abundant. Piping Plovers and Mongolian Plovers are vagrants to our region, but look much like Snowy Plovers in certain plumages. Sanderlings in winter are the only regular occurring shorebird in our region which match the paleness of Snowy Plovers. Sanderlings are very social and active in comparison, though.