A plover on the plains is like a canary in a coal mine. Despite its name, the Mountain Plover prefers the dryer and open prairie of eastern Colorado. Audubon himself misnamed it, and you may never encounter one. It's hard to hear. And it's hard to see, with muted plumage blending into seas of grass. Folks also call it the "prairie ghost," with a natural talent to disappear with the wind.
But scientists pay close attention to the mountain plover because it is a reliable bioindicator. Its presence (or absence) signals the health of an entire ecosystem. Where Mountain Plovers thrive, there is balance. Where they vanish, something is amiss. But there is a silver lining for Colorado plover lovers: the Karval Mountain Plover Festival celebrates the bird every April on the eastern plains. With thanks to Ornithologist Ted Floyd, this is a Colorado Postcard.
About Colorado Postcards
Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado.
