piping plover
A small shorebird (Charadrius melodus). The Japanese name is usually written in katakana.
The piping plover breeds on sandy beaches in North America.
Katakana spelling is standard for this bird name.
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.
The name combines 笛 (fue, 'flute') and 小千鳥 (kochidori, 'small plover'), likely referring to its call. The exact derivation is uncertain.