Squatarola

Squatarola is a historical genus in the family Charadriidae used in earlier classifications to group the black-bellied plover. In current taxonomy the species is placed in the genus Pluvialis, as Pluvialis squatarola, making Squatarola a defunct genus.

Taxonomic history: The genus originated with the classification of the black-bellied plover; later revisions based on morphology and genetic data transferred the species to Pluvialis.

Description and behavior: The black-bellied plover is a medium-sized shorebird. It forages mainly by pecking and probing in mud or sand, feeding on invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. It often forms flocks outside the breeding season and is known for its short, direct flight and plain, unobtrusive plumage in non-breeding seasons.

Distribution and habitat: It breeds in Arctic tundra across North America and Eurasia, and migrates to coastal regions worldwide for the winter, including the Americas, Africa, and temperate Asia. Habitats include shorelines, beaches, mudflats, and tundra ponds.

Conservation: The species is evaluated as Least Concern by the IUCN, with stable or fluctuating populations but no major global declines; regional threats include habitat loss and disturbance on breeding grounds.