Mountain Plover
(Charadrius montanus)
Mountain Plover
Primary breeding habitat
of the mountain plover
is found in north-central
Montana in Phillips,
Blaine, and northern Fergus
and Petroleum counties.
Habitat use in Montana appears similar to
other areas within the breeding range. Use
of prairie dog colonies and other short-grass
prairie sites are confi rmed as preferred
breeding habitat. Conservation concerns
include: invasive non-native plant species;
habitat loss of short-grass
prairies due to conversion
to cropland; and decreases
in prairie dog colonies.
Conservation strategies include:
controlling shrub
and noxious weed encroachment at known
and potential breeding sites; protecting
existing native grassland from conversion
to cropland; and continuing to manage and
potentially enhance prairie dog colonies.
