Editing Magellanic plover

{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Magellanic Plover (Pluvianellus socialis) in Tierra del Fuego.jpg
| status = VU
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref> 
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22693570/233933855
</ref>
| display_parents = 3
| grandparent_authority = [[Joseph Jehl|Jehl]], 1975
| genus = Pluvianellus
| parent_authority = G.R. Gray, 1846
| species = socialis
| authority = [[George Robert Gray|G.R. Gray]], 1846
| range_map = Pluvianellus socialis map.svg
}}

The '''Magellanic plover''' ('''''Pluvianellus socialis''''') is a rare [[wader]] [[endemic]] to southernmost [[South America]].

==Taxonomy==
It was long placed in with the other plovers in the family [[Charadriidae]]; however, behavioural evidence suggested they were distinct, and molecular studies confirmed this, suggesting that they are actually more closely related to the [[sheathbill]]s, a uniquely [[Antarctic]] family.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Paton|first1=Tara|last2= Bakera | first2 = Allan J. |last3 = Groth | first3 = Jeff G. | last4 = Barrowclough | first4 = George F. |year=2003|title=RAG-1 sequences resolve phylogenetic relationships within charadriiform birds|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution|volume=29|issue=2|pages=268–278 |doi = 10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00098-8|pmid=13678682|bibcode=2003MolPE..29..268P }}</ref>  As such it is now placed in its own family, '''Pluvianellidae'''.

==Description==
This species is in its structure and habits much like a [[turnstone]], but it cannot be confused with any other wader species. Its upperparts and breast are pale grey, and the rest of the underparts are white. It has short red legs, a black bill and red eyes. In young birds, the eyes and legs are yellowish in colour, and the plumage is grey overall with scaling. The call is a [[dove]]like ''coo''.

==Distribution and habitat==
This species is not a long-distance [[bird migration|migrant]], although some birds move further north in southern [[Argentina]] in winter. The species breeds inland and then moves to the coast during the winter, particularly to estuaries.<ref name ="Ferrari"/> One of their preferred areas during winter is in Puerto Madryn and Península Valdes, Chubut, Argentina (Jehl 1975).

==Behaviour==
===Breeding===
This species breeds near water, usually saline lakes but there are reports of nests near rivers as well. Pairs defend territories, and both parents share [[avian incubation|incubation]] duties. It lays two large [[Egg (biology)|egg]]s on the ground, although usually only one chick survives. One unique aspect of its behaviour and physiology is its method of feeding its chicks. Chicks are fed by regurgitating food stored in the crop, this species being the only wader to do so.<ref name="Ferrari">{{cite journal|last1=Ferrari |first1=Silvia |last2=Imberti |first2=Santiago |last3=Albrieu |first3=Carlos |year=2003 |title=Magellanic Plovers ''Pluvianellus socialis'' in southern Santa Cruz Province, Argentina |journal=Wader Study Group Bulletin |volume=101 |pages=1–7 |url=http://www.grupofalco.com.ar/pedefes/imberti_Chorlo_Ceniciento_en_Santa_Cruz__mail_.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219082831/http://www.grupofalco.com.ar/pedefes/imberti_Chorlo_Ceniciento_en_Santa_Cruz__mail_.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-19 }}</ref>

===Feeding===
Magellanic plovers feed on small [[invertebrate]]s, picked from the ground, or from under pebbles, again like a turnstone. They have been observed collecting worms in the bill in a similar fashion to a [[puffin]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Kampf|first=Ruud|year=1996|title=A note on the feeding behaviour of Magellanic Plover ''Pluvianellus socialis''|journal=Wader Study Group Bulletin|volume=80|page=78|url=http://sora.unm.edu/node/121395}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*''Shorebirds'' by Hayman, Marchant and Prater, {{ISBN|0-7099-2034-2}}

{{Charadriiformes|C.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q845621}}

[[Category:Chionidi]]
[[Category:Birds of Patagonia]]
[[Category:Birds of Tierra del Fuego]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1846]]
[[Category:Taxa named by George Robert Gray]]