http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/tags/spurwingedplover/ Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:16:14 -0700 Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:16:14 -0700 http://www.flickr.com/ http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3181/buddyicons/31864021@N08.jpg?1229580505#31864021@N08 http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/tags/spurwingedplover/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7990974719/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7990974719/" title="Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/7990974719_52c5681620_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae" /></a></p> <p>This pair, at Travis wetland in Christchurch, were performing an elaborate courtship comprising of much walking around mimicking each other's movements and dancing around each other interspersed with the occasional foot to foot grapple.<br /> <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:16:14 -0700 2012-09-16T14:15:41-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7990974719 Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <p>This pair, at Travis wetland in Christchurch, were performing an elaborate courtship comprising of much walking around mimicking each other's movements and dancing around each other interspersed with the occasional foot to foot grapple.<br /> <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch bird nature canon wildlife plover courtship spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae traviswetland http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/8648021212/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/8648021212/" title="Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8648021212_e02f07ba3c_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae" /></a></p> <p>Photographed on the Heathcote/Avon Estuary, Christchurch.<br /> Traveling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargill airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap.</p> Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:07:31 -0700 2013-04-14T15:30:11-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/8648021212 Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <p>Photographed on the Heathcote/Avon Estuary, Christchurch.<br /> Traveling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargill airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch bird nature canon wildlife plover spurwingedplover vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae heathcoteavonestuary http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/8646924805/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/8646924805/" title="Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8646924805_786a8871b3_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae" /></a></p> <p>Photographed on the Heathcote/Avon Estuary, Christchurch.<br /> Traveling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargill airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap.</p> Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:07:32 -0700 2013-04-14T15:30:16-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/8646924805 Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <p>Photographed on the Heathcote/Avon Estuary, Christchurch.<br /> Traveling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargill airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch bird nature canon wildlife plover spurwingedplover vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae heathcoteavonestuary http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/8648022008/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/8648022008/" title="Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8545/8648022008_72f442441b_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae" /></a></p> <p>Photographed on the Heathcote/Avon Estuary, Christchurch.<br /> Traveling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargill airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap.</p> Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:07:30 -0700 2013-04-14T15:30:10-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/8648022008 Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <p>Photographed on the Heathcote/Avon Estuary, Christchurch.<br /> Traveling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargill airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch bird nature canon wildlife plover spurwingedplover vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae heathcoteavonestuary http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/8079116316/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/8079116316/" title="Vanellus miles novaehollandiae"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8079116316_5d7d0743e8_m.jpg" width="172" height="240" alt="Vanellus miles novaehollandiae" /></a></p> <p>Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:31:41 -0700 2012-10-11T19:08:58-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/8079116316 Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <p>Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch reflection bird nature canon wildlife plover wader spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae heathcoteavonestuary http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/8079122775/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/8079122775/" title="Vanellus miles novaehollandiae"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8187/8079122775_5ba8ae0d4a_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Vanellus miles novaehollandiae" /></a></p> <p>Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:31:41 -0700 2012-10-11T19:09:06-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/8079122775 Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <p>Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch reflection bird nature canon wildlife plover wader spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae heathcoteavonestuary http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7990984448/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7990984448/" title="Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8037/7990984448_2c5d0a2df4_m.jpg" width="172" height="240" alt="Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae" /></a></p> <p>This pair, at Travis wetland in Christchurch, were performing an elaborate courtship comprising of much walking around mimicking each other's movements and dancing around each other interspersed with the occasional foot to foot grapple.<br /> <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:16:12 -0700 2012-09-16T14:10:58-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7990984448 Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <p>This pair, at Travis wetland in Christchurch, were performing an elaborate courtship comprising of much walking around mimicking each other's movements and dancing around each other interspersed with the occasional foot to foot grapple.<br /> <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch bird nature canon wildlife plover courtship spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae traviswetland http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7990984880/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7990984880/" title="Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8312/7990984880_2b14fef0c1_m.jpg" width="163" height="240" alt="Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae" /></a></p> <p>This pair, at Travis wetland in Christchurch, were performing an elaborate courtship comprising of much walking around mimicking each other's movements and dancing around each other interspersed with the occasional foot to foot grapple.<br /> <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:16:11 -0700 2012-09-16T14:08:33-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7990984880 Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <p>This pair, at Travis wetland in Christchurch, were performing an elaborate courtship comprising of much walking around mimicking each other's movements and dancing around each other interspersed with the occasional foot to foot grapple.<br /> <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch bird nature canon wildlife plover courtship spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae traviswetland http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7990974925/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7990974925/" title="Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8457/7990974925_72ed78b959_m.jpg" width="175" height="240" alt="Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae" /></a></p> <p>This pair, at Travis wetland in Christchurch, were performing an elaborate courtship comprising of much walking around mimicking each other's movements and dancing around each other interspersed with the occasional foot to foot grapple.<br /> <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:16:13 -0700 2012-09-16T14:15:36-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7990974925 Courting spur-winged plovers - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <p>This pair, at Travis wetland in Christchurch, were performing an elaborate courtship comprising of much walking around mimicking each other's movements and dancing around each other interspersed with the occasional foot to foot grapple.<br /> <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch bird nature canon wildlife plover courtship spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae traviswetland http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7572926066/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7572926066/" title="Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8423/7572926066_c02e5213df_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles" /></a></p> <p>Photographed on the Avon River, Christchurch New Zealand.<br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Sun, 15 Jul 2012 01:48:46 -0700 2012-07-14T15:08:10-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7572926066 Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles <p>Photographed on the Avon River, Christchurch New Zealand.<br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch bird nature canon wildlife canterbury wader spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmiles http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7572896962/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7572896962/" title="Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7572896962_ff9ecf3e27_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles" /></a></p> <p>Photographed on the Avon River, Christchurch New Zealand.<br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Sun, 15 Jul 2012 01:48:46 -0700 2012-07-14T16:16:09-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7572896962 Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles <p>Photographed on the Avon River, Christchurch New Zealand.<br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch bird nature canon wildlife canterbury wader spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmiles http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7384521866/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7384521866/" title="Spur-winged plover - Vanellus miles"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7384521866_eb0f2e93f3_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Spur-winged plover - Vanellus miles" /></a></p> Sun, 17 Jun 2012 01:04:37 -0700 2012-06-17T11:30:57-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7384521866 Spur-winged plover - Vanellus miles Steve Attwood newzealand christchurch bird nature canon wildlife canterbury plover wetland spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmiles traviswetland http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6904512275/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6904512275/" title="spur-winged plover pick across tidal rocks"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6904512275_797a51aa1b_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="spur-winged plover pick across tidal rocks" /></a></p> <p>Spur–winged plover - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae.<br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:30:42 -0800 2012-02-19T12:28:33-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6904512275 spur-winged plover pick across tidal rocks <p>Spur–winged plover - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae.<br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington plover spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6904509331/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6904509331/" title="spur-winged plover pick across tidal rocks"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6904509331_27ca594194_m.jpg" width="240" height="151" alt="spur-winged plover pick across tidal rocks" /></a></p> <p>Spur–winged plover - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae.<br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:30:16 -0800 2012-02-19T12:27:14-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6904509331 spur-winged plover pick across tidal rocks <p>Spur–winged plover - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae.<br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington plover spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6904500101/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6904500101/" title="spur-winged plover pick across tidal rocks"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6904500101_a7fe98b83e_m.jpg" width="171" height="240" alt="spur-winged plover pick across tidal rocks" /></a></p> <p>Spur–winged plover - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae.<br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:28:47 -0800 2012-02-19T12:26:45-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6904500101 spur-winged plover pick across tidal rocks <p>Spur–winged plover - Vanellus miles novaehollandiae.<br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington plover spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmilesnovaehollandiae http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6485535933/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6485535933/" title="Plover bank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6485535933_3779b55d28_m.jpg" width="240" height="129" alt="Plover bank" /></a></p> <p>Spur-winged plover on the shore of Pauatahanui Inlet.<br /> •Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:24:59 -0800 2011-12-10T12:29:58-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6485535933 Plover bank <p>Spur-winged plover on the shore of Pauatahanui Inlet.<br /> •Spur–winged plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae <br /> Travelling throughout New Zealand, especially through farmland, the one bird that one is most likely to see is the spur–winged plover, very often being harried by and, in turn, harrying a harrier hawk. However, the bird did not used to be so widespread, the first pair recorded breeding at Invercargiull airport in 1932. In spite of the heavy predation by harrier hawks and those rural people who make a habit of using birds for target practice, its numbers have now become so great that there is talk of culling them, especially where they are impinging on threatened species such as the New Zealand dotterel.<br /> There are two well marked races of this bird; the smaller race, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, originally just bred in the south–east of Australia but then externded its range to Tasmania and New Zealand. The other, northern, race, Vanellus miles miles, has extended its range from northern Australia to New Guinea.<br /> Both races frequent wet grasslands but will readily adapt to man–made habitats such as pastures, sports grounds, airfields and even median strips on busy roads. Birds have even been known to nest on the roofs of houses. Because of this adaptability, the species has increased both in numbers and distribution since European settlement.<br /> The spur–winged plover feeds mainly on insects, worms and similar small invertebrates but will also eat seeds. Their main call is a is a loud, penetrating rattle, often heard at night which may explain why farmers have grown to hate them. <br /> 38 cm., males 370g., females 350 g., olive–brown above and white below. The crown, outer wing feather and sub–terminal tail band are black and the wing has a brown–tipped yellow spur at the “wrist”. Both races have large yellow wattles but in the northern race this feature is larger and extends both above and behind the eye. The south–eastern race has a broad black stripe going down the back of the neck and a wide black patch on its shoulders. Intermediate forms are known, especially where the range of the races overlap. <br /> Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. <br /> This noisy large plover has a black crown, hind neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.<br /> The eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.<br /> Breeding is between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7 – 8 weeks.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington plover porirua spurwingedplover vanellus pauatahanui vanellusmiles http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6367240625/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6367240625/" title="Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6052/6367240625_fe432cd337_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)" /></a></p> <p><br /> I was amazed at the tameness of these birds in the grassed area near the Sydney opera house. In New Zealand they are very timid birds that btake off at the first sign of human approach. In comparison these Sydney birds allowed me within 3m.<br /> Often called the Spur-winged Plover 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. In flight with wing spurs clearly visible.<br /> 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 Northern Australian subspecies (Vanellus miles miles) has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles with the male having a distinctive mask and larger wattles. The subspecies found in the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae), and often locally called the Spur-winged Plover, has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles.<br /> The birds have a wide range of calls which can be heard at any time of the day or night: the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young, and others. 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 and coastlines. Vanellus miles novaehollandiae spread naturally to Southland, New Zealand in the 1930s and has now spread throughout New Zealand, where it is known as the Spur-winged Plover.</p> Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:08:33 -0800 2011-10-14T15:43:56-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6367240625 Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) <p><br /> I was amazed at the tameness of these birds in the grassed area near the Sydney opera house. In New Zealand they are very timid birds that btake off at the first sign of human approach. In comparison these Sydney birds allowed me within 3m.<br /> Often called the Spur-winged Plover 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. In flight with wing spurs clearly visible.<br /> 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 Northern Australian subspecies (Vanellus miles miles) has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles with the male having a distinctive mask and larger wattles. The subspecies found in the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae), and often locally called the Spur-winged Plover, has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles.<br /> The birds have a wide range of calls which can be heard at any time of the day or night: the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young, and others. 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 and coastlines. Vanellus miles novaehollandiae spread naturally to Southland, New Zealand in the 1930s and has now spread throughout New Zealand, where it is known as the Spur-winged Plover.</p> Steve Attwood cruise bird sydney australia plover spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmiles maskedlapwing http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6367235697/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6367235697/" title="Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6222/6367235697_f2e123f1a9_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)" /></a></p> <p><br /> I was amazed at the tameness of these birds in the grassed area near the Sydney opera house. In New Zealand they are very timid birds that btake off at the first sign of human approach. In comparison these Sydney birds allowed me within 3m.<br /> Often called the Spur-winged Plover 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. In flight with wing spurs clearly visible.<br /> 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 Northern Australian subspecies (Vanellus miles miles) has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles with the male having a distinctive mask and larger wattles. The subspecies found in the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae), and often locally called the Spur-winged Plover, has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles.<br /> The birds have a wide range of calls which can be heard at any time of the day or night: the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young, and others. 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 and coastlines. Vanellus miles novaehollandiae spread naturally to Southland, New Zealand in the 1930s and has now spread throughout New Zealand, where it is known as the Spur-winged Plover.</p> Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:07:16 -0800 2011-10-14T15:42:39-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6367235697 Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) <p><br /> I was amazed at the tameness of these birds in the grassed area near the Sydney opera house. In New Zealand they are very timid birds that btake off at the first sign of human approach. In comparison these Sydney birds allowed me within 3m.<br /> Often called the Spur-winged Plover 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. In flight with wing spurs clearly visible.<br /> 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 Northern Australian subspecies (Vanellus miles miles) has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles with the male having a distinctive mask and larger wattles. The subspecies found in the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae), and often locally called the Spur-winged Plover, has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles.<br /> The birds have a wide range of calls which can be heard at any time of the day or night: the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young, and others. 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 and coastlines. Vanellus miles novaehollandiae spread naturally to Southland, New Zealand in the 1930s and has now spread throughout New Zealand, where it is known as the Spur-winged Plover.</p> Steve Attwood cruise bird sydney australia plover spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmiles maskedlapwing http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6367243133/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6367243133/" title="Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6107/6367243133_017494bbb9_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)" /></a></p> <p><br /> I was amazed at the tameness of these birds in the grassed area near the Sydney opera house. In New Zealand they are very timid birds that btake off at the first sign of human approach. In comparison these Sydney birds allowed me within 3m.<br /> Often called the Spur-winged Plover 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. In flight with wing spurs clearly visible.<br /> 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 Northern Australian subspecies (Vanellus miles miles) has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles with the male having a distinctive mask and larger wattles. The subspecies found in the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae), and often locally called the Spur-winged Plover, has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles.<br /> The birds have a wide range of calls which can be heard at any time of the day or night: the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young, and others. 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 and coastlines. Vanellus miles novaehollandiae spread naturally to Southland, New Zealand in the 1930s and has now spread throughout New Zealand, where it is known as the Spur-winged Plover.</p> Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:09:11 -0800 2011-10-14T15:44:34-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6367243133 Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) <p><br /> I was amazed at the tameness of these birds in the grassed area near the Sydney opera house. In New Zealand they are very timid birds that btake off at the first sign of human approach. In comparison these Sydney birds allowed me within 3m.<br /> Often called the Spur-winged Plover 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. In flight with wing spurs clearly visible.<br /> 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 Northern Australian subspecies (Vanellus miles miles) has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles with the male having a distinctive mask and larger wattles. The subspecies found in the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae), and often locally called the Spur-winged Plover, has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles.<br /> The birds have a wide range of calls which can be heard at any time of the day or night: the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young, and others. 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 and coastlines. Vanellus miles novaehollandiae spread naturally to Southland, New Zealand in the 1930s and has now spread throughout New Zealand, where it is known as the Spur-winged Plover.</p> Steve Attwood cruise bird sydney australia plover spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmiles maskedlapwing http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6367225429/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6367225429/" title="Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6091/6367225429_8f38e0ce00_m.jpg" width="184" height="240" alt="Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)" /></a></p> <p><br /> I was amazed at the tameness of these birds in the grassed area near the Sydney opera house. In New Zealand they are very timid birds that btake off at the first sign of human approach. In comparison these Sydney birds allowed me within 3m.<br /> Often called the Spur-winged Plover 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. In flight with wing spurs clearly visible.<br /> 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 Northern Australian subspecies (Vanellus miles miles) has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles with the male having a distinctive mask and larger wattles. The subspecies found in the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae), and often locally called the Spur-winged Plover, has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles.<br /> The birds have a wide range of calls which can be heard at any time of the day or night: the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young, and others. 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 and coastlines. Vanellus miles novaehollandiae spread naturally to Southland, New Zealand in the 1930s and has now spread throughout New Zealand, where it is known as the Spur-winged Plover.</p> Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:04:40 -0800 2011-10-14T15:41:45-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6367225429 Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) <p><br /> I was amazed at the tameness of these birds in the grassed area near the Sydney opera house. In New Zealand they are very timid birds that btake off at the first sign of human approach. In comparison these Sydney birds allowed me within 3m.<br /> Often called the Spur-winged Plover 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. In flight with wing spurs clearly visible.<br /> 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 Northern Australian subspecies (Vanellus miles miles) has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles with the male having a distinctive mask and larger wattles. The subspecies found in the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae), and often locally called the Spur-winged Plover, has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles.<br /> The birds have a wide range of calls which can be heard at any time of the day or night: the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young, and others. 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 and coastlines. Vanellus miles novaehollandiae spread naturally to Southland, New Zealand in the 1930s and has now spread throughout New Zealand, where it is known as the Spur-winged Plover.</p> Steve Attwood cruise bird sydney australia plover spurwingedplover vanellus vanellusmiles maskedlapwing