Adult males can be distinguished from females by their black crown, dark ear coverts and fore-neck patch.

[6] Western snowy plovers are migratory birds but are also year-round residents in the southern locations.

[9] Now, the invasive grasses have replaced much of the native vegetation and taken up dune habitat of the western snowy plover.

[8] Western snowy plovers congregate in flocks of fewer than 300 and practice preening, scratching, stretching and bathing in shallow water.

Another method is to open their mouths and run at swarms of kelp and wrack flies, snapping their beaks.

[13] During winter, plovers build up their fat reserves to prepare for migration north for the breeding season.

Plovers will produce a third brood if the breeding season is longer due to late warm weather.

[7] Within days of hatching, the chicks can run, forage, swim and leave the nest as soon as their down feather coat dries.

Alternatively, the parent will fly flapping vigorously or run erratically to divert the attention of the predator.

[8] Effective April 5, 1993, the Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

[15][16] From July 19, 2012, habitat along the California, Oregon, and Washington coasts is listed as critical for the survival of the Pacific distinct population segment.

[15][17] Predation, urban development, introduction of beachgrass and nonnative species contribute to the degradation of western snowy plover nesting area and population.