Piping plovers are small, migratory shorebirds that nest on sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast of North America. They are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to a number of factors, including habitat loss, human disturbance, and climate change.
One of the biggest threats to piping plovers is habitat loss. Coastal development, such as the construction of homes, businesses, and roads, has destroyed or degraded much of their nesting habitat. Piping plovers also rely on sandy beaches for foraging, and these areas are often impacted by beach erosion and other coastal hazards.