A beach-nesting plover whose eggs and chicks are exceptionally well camouflaged against sand and shell.
NT: Vulnerable
Indigenous: Didar Djerap, Hooded Dotterel
At a glance
FamilyPlovers and Lapwings
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatEndemic to southern Australia where it typically inhabits sandy ocean beaches, nesting just above the high tide mark.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from October to February.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Andrew Spencer
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
32762approx records
5states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Small sturdy plover with pink legs and red eyering. Adult has black hood that extends down onto the chin. In western Australia it is also found on saline lakes.
Behavior
Endemic to southern Australia where it typically inhabits sandy ocean beaches, nesting just above the high tide mark.
Gallery
Regional timing
Tasmania
Western Australia
South Australia
Victoria
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Queensland
Commonly confused with
Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaBreeding plumage shows black belly and face with mottled white sides and undertail coverts and a white stripe down the side of the neck that continues onto the sides of the chest and flanks. Nonbreeding plumage is duller grayish-brown overall with a variable golden wash, often quite bright. Juveniles are crisp and neatly spangled above, washed with gold on the upperparts. At all seasons, note more slender shape, slightly smaller bill, and brighter golden tones than Black-bellied Plover, along with grayish underwing in flight. Extremely similar to American Golden-Plover; Pacific is slightly shorter-winged, longer-legged, and larger-billed, but these features are difficult to judge. Juvenile Pacific is usually brighter than American, especially on the face and neck. Pacific found more regularly on beaches and mudflats than American, but much overlap; also note range. Breeds on Arctic tundra from Alaska to Russia. Winters extensively across Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand; small numbers found in fall on west coast of U. S.→Banded LapwingVanellus tricolorSmaller and shorter-legged than Masked Lapwing. Not generally an urban bird, it is more common inland.→Greater Sand-PloverAnarhynchus leschenaultiiBreeding adults have a dark mask and orangish chest, neck, and forehead; females duller than males. Non-breeding birds and immatures are sandy brown above and white below, with a white throat and “eyebrows.” Often confused with Lesser Sand-Plover, and best distinguished when both present; look for larger size, heavier and longer bill, paler legs, and larger-headed appearance. Additionally, unlike some Lesser Sand-Plovers, Greater never has a black boundary around the throat. Winters on coastal mudflats and estuaries.→