semipalmated plover
A small shorebird (Charadrius semipalmatus) with partially webbed feet. The Japanese name literally means 'water-scooping plover'. Usually written in kana.
The semipalmated plover breeds in North America and migrates south in winter.
I spotted a semipalmated plover on the tidal flat.
Generic term for plovers; 水掻き千鳥 specifies the semipalmated plover species.
Kanji spelling with okurigana; usually written in kana.
Variant kanji spelling without okurigana; less common.
Katakana spelling, often used in field guides or scientific contexts.
Compound of 水掻き (mizukaki, 'webbed feet') + 千鳥 (chidori, 'plover'), referring to the bird's partially webbed toes.