Is this bird a plover?

Many of these guys intermingled with seagulls down the shore. I think it's a plover, but I'm not sure.

Looks like a Laughing Gull.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Laughing_Gull/id

I think you're right. Thanks!

PetuniaBird said:
Looks like a Laughing Gull.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Laughing_Gull/id

Plovers, I believe, are the smaller ones that adorably run back and forth from the surf.

Probably so. That's an interesting site that Petunia shared. Who knew that there were so many similar looking gulls?!

Unicorn - I identified the bird using this free app. I highly recommend it.

http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Plovers are a little smaller than a canary.

Thanks. I'll check it out!

PetuniaBird said:
Unicorn - I identified the bird using this free app. I highly recommend it.
http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Formerlyjerseyjack said:
Plovers are a little smaller than a canary.

Actually there are a number of different plover species and they come in various sizes, some considerably larger than a canary.

Here's another mystery bird from down the shore. Haven't seen one of these before.

I think it is a Black Skimmer:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Skimmer/id

Thanks! You're my go-to bird source! (I did look at the app you recommended, but haven't gotten around to downloading it yet.)

There was a large flock of them on the beach today. Pretty birds.

PetuniaBird said:
I think it is a Black Skimmer:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Skimmer/id

i dont think its a black skimmer-aren't the ends of their beaks orange? and not the middle?

they do come out in the late summer/early fall-and are endangered I think.

just looked at the pics above-looks like a black skimmer

My (intense) birder husband says they are definitely black skimmers