Piping Plovers breed on barren outer beaches along the east coast of Canada and the US, and near water in the western Great Plains and basins of the US and Canada. Their light "sand" color helps them hide from natural predators on the dry sand of the upper beaches. This one, however, has ventured onto dark, wet sand, where its light coloration makes it stand out.

The harsh environment of the outer beaches is the least of the Piping Plover's concerns. Sharing the beach with people (and their pets and dune buggies) has caused a serious decline in these birds, and as a result they are on the Endangered Species list.