Greater Sand Plover

Charadrius leschenaultii· 鸻科(1 photos)

Species Profile

IOC World Bird List

Greater Sand Plover

Anarhynchus leschenaultii· Plovers, Lapwings, Dotterels

20-25 cm; span 53-60 cm. Larger than, but similar to, Lesser Sand Plover. Note: (1) proportionately larger head; (2) larger bill, longer than distance from bill to eye; (3) longer pale, greenish or yellowish grey legs; (4) in Non-breeding plumage , paler, sandier upperparts; partial grey-brown breastband. Breeding plumage: male: black mask encloses white forehead; paler chestnut on rear and side neck and breast; chestnut breastband paler and narrower. Female: head markings less distinct; breastband smuttier, less complete. Solitary or with other waders, especially Lesser; larger flocks in nw. Aust. Often less nervous than other waders: lowers head, slinks away or flies a short distance. Flight strong: prominent white wingbar splits onto inner primaries; white underwing; dark rump with whitish sides; tail sandy grey-brown, darker towards end, tipped white; unlike Lesser, toes clearly extend beyond tail tip.

Other name
Large Sand Dotterel or Plover.
Similar Species
Oriental, Double-banded Plovers.
Voice
quiet, clear, mellow 'tweep tweep'; melodious trill.
Habitat
wide, sandy or shelly beaches; sandspits, tidal mudflats, reefs, sand cays, mangroves, saltmarsh, dune wilderness, bare paddocks; seldom far inland.
Range & Status
breeds (in three races) from Turkey to s. Siberia; regular summer (Aug.-May) migrant to Aust., Tas., commonest in nw. WA, where flocks of thousands occur; smaller numbers coastally in all states; some overwinter. Also PNG, NZ, oceanic islands.
Distribution key to races
1. Charadrius leschenaultii leschenaultii

Related Bird Works

  1. Greater Sand Plover
    001Greater Sand Plover◔Occasional6.58