Masked Lapwing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Masked Lapwing | ||||||||||||||
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| Vanellus miles (Boddaert, 1783) |
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Hoplopterus miles (Boddaert, 1783) |
The Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), previously known as the Masked Plover and often called simply "the Plover" in its native range, is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia, particularly the northern and eastern parts of the continent. It spends most of its time on the ground searching for food such as insects and worms and has several distinctive calls.
Masked Lapwings are a shy and harmless bird in summer and autumn but are best known for their bold nesting habits, being quite prepared to make a nest on almost any stretch of open ground, including suburban parks and gardens, school ovals, and even supermarket carparks. Breeding season happens after Winter Solstice and the nesting pair then defends its territory against all intruders (and that includes footballs and remote controlled cars or aircraft), calling loudly, swooping fast and low, and where necessary striking at the interloper with their feet and attacking other animals on the ground with a conspicuous yellow spur on the carpal joint of the wing. Attacks are most vicious on other birds such as Ravens, and also cats and dogs but once the chicks reach 60% in size after 2-3 months, the chances of this happening decrease. Strikes are much more rare on Humans since they are more aware. Sometimes the bird can damage its wing in a strike but usually survives and is flightless as the wing heals. Some Masked Lapwings never breed due to increased dangers such as people on footpaths, cars. Nearly always two birds are seen together, male and female but many can be seen in groups at times, especially during feeding on coastlines. The chick reaches full height after 6 months and will often stay with the parents for 1 to 2 years.
The birds have a wide range of vocal calls, such as the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young. Since this bird lives on the ground it is always alert and even though it rests it never sleeps properly.
Masked Lapwings are most common around the edges of wetlands and in other moist, open environments, but are adaptable and can often be found in surprisingly arid areas. They can also be found on beaches (especially in NW Tasmania) and on rare occasions can swim.
This species is the largest representative of the family Charadriidae, at 35 cm (14 in) and 370 g (13 oz). There are two distinct races which until recently were thought to be separate species. The Masked Lapwing of Northern Australia (Vanellus miles miles) has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles with the Male been having a distinctive mask and larger wattles, the Spur-winged Plover of the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae) has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles. (Note that the northern hemisphere Spur-winged Plover is a different bird: see Spur-winged Plover.)
Vanellus miles novaehollandiae became self introduced to Southland, New Zealand in the 1930s and has now spread throughout New Zealand, where it is known as the Spur-winged Plover.
[edit] Gallery
 Masked Lapwing in the wild in Queensland, Australia. |
 Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles miles in an English zoo |
 Masked Lapwing |
 Masked Lapwing defending its nest |
 Masked Lapwing Eggs (Brisbane, Australia) |
 Young Masked Lapwing running. |
 A Female Masked Lapwing searching the grass. (Northern Tasmania) |
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Vanellus miles. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
