In the U.S. this plover is known as the Black-bellied Plover. Elsewhere, it is called the Grey Plover. They breed in the Artic islands and coastal areas across the northern coasts of Alaska, Canada, and Russia. Wintering is coastal areas throughout the world including far south as South America and Australia.

Black-bellied Plovers forage for food on beaches and tidal flats. They mainly eat small mollusks, polychaeteworm, crustaceans, and insects.