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Greater Sand-plover
Charadrius leschenaultia
Conservation Status
Listed as Vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act.
What does it look like?
The non-breeding plumage is a grey-brown crown, nape, back and breast patches. The lores, bill and upperwing are dark, with dusky ear-coverts. There is prominent white plumage on the forehead, chin, throat and underparts, including the underwing. The legs and feet are greenish-grey; this helps distinguish it from the very similar Lesser Sand Plover, with dark grey legs (from DEC-NSW Threatened Species Profile). Some birds attain breeding plumage while in Australia, in March or April. They develop black markings across the front of the crown and about the eyes and ear coverts; the upper parts become paler with a rufous wash over the crown and nape and a narrow orange-red breast band develops. Most leave by April but a few non-breeding birds may remain year round.
Where does it live and what does it eat?
They are found right around the Australian coast between October and January. The species breeds in central Asia and those that migrate to summer in Australia keep mainly to the northwest coast. Some stragglers may reach more southern parts in small groups of five or six but rarely stay long.
It feeds mainly on small crustaceans and molluscs on tidal sand and mud flats, crabs and shrimps. Individual birds feed over a small area; if disturbed they fly off swiftly, low down, uttering long loud, trilling alarm calls.Updated: 27 Jun 2011
Related Links
- Greater Sand-plover - DEC-NSW Threatened Species Profile