Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
The Rufous-chested Plover is a small, elegant shorebird easily recognized by its warm rufous chest band contrasting with a white belly and grayish-brown upperparts. During the breeding season, adults display brighter colors, while juveniles are duller. This species breeds in the open grasslands and steppes of southern Patagonia, often near water, and forms loose colonies. Outside the breeding season, it migrates northward, sometimes traveling thousands of kilometers to wintering grounds in central Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. The Rufous-chested Plover is generally shy and unobtrusive, often seen singly or in small groups. Its soft, whistled calls are most often heard during the breeding season. The species feeds mainly on small invertebrates, which it picks from the ground or mudflats. Its cryptic plumage and cautious behavior help it avoid predators in the open landscapes it inhabits.
Habitat
Open grasslands, Patagonian steppe, and coastal mudflats, usually near freshwater or brackish wetlands.
Foraging
Feeds by running and pausing, picking small invertebrates from the ground or mud with quick, precise movements.
