"Unspoiled, undisturbed, clean, sandy beaches on seashores and inland lakes" describes ideal vacation sites. It also describes the ideal habitat of the Piping Plover; its breeding range is along the Atlantic coast from the Maritimes to Virginia, and inland from Alberta to Nebraska.

By the 1900s, the Piping Plover's population had declined drastically because it was once considered a game bird, so large numbers of them were killed each spring and autumn. Legal protection as a migratory, non-game bird and intensive conservation efforts have helped in its recovery, but the species' survival is still in jeopardy. The biggest problem is habitat loss, primarily from recreational use of beaches. All populations are considered endangered.

Piping Plovers are generally 17 to 18 cm (7 in.) long.