The European/Eurasian Golden Plover hackles are primarily used for soft hackle flies such as spiders but also has been used as a soft wet fly wing.
The European golden plover, also known as the Eurasian golden plover or simply the golden plover within Europe, is a relatively large species of plover. It shares similarities with two other golden plovers: the American golden plover and the Pacific golden plover. However, both of these are slightly smaller, slimmer, and longer-legged than the European golden plover, and they have grey rather than white axillary feathers.
The European golden plover is robust and thickset, with wings only slightly longer than its tail. Its most distinctive feature is a white “s”-shaped band that stretches from its forehead to its flanks.
In summer, the golden plover exhibits a conspicuous plumage with black and gold flecks across its body. The underparts are black, more prominent in males, and extend up the chest and throat, stopping just under the eye. During winter, the plumage changes to a uniform light brown color with no black underparts.
The golden plover has narrow wings that end in a fine point and can be mistaken for the larger grey plover. This species stands 26 to 29 centimeters in length, with a wingspan of 67 to 76 centimeters and weighs between 160 and 280 grams.
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