Species Recovery Efforts
Western Snowy Plovers
Western Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) live year-round on coastal beaches with flat continuous open areas. They are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, with only 150–200 birds remaining on the Oregon coast. Their decline is primarily due to habitat loss, caused by development and invasive European beach grass.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is raising and releasing orphaned Snowy Plover chicks from both Washington and Oregon. The aquarium built a Snowy Plover exhibit to help people understand threats facing the birds and to allow people to see the birds up close.
