Red-capped Plovers

This week we celebrated Plover Appreciation Day so I’m sharing images of a sweet juvenile Red-capped Plover and an adult male.

Adult females don’t have such a rich rufous crown as the male in the image above. The rufous colouring of males and females can vary, so the most reliable way to identify the gender is by the bird’s loral stripe (that’s the stripe from the bill to the eye). Males have a fine stripe while the females’ stripe widens below the eye.

I was a long way from these Red-capped Plovers, at Werribee’s Western Treatment Plant. The juveniles were almost invisible, blending so perfectly with their habitat.

The focal length was 560mm and the images are heavily cropped.

Red-capped Plovers are about 15cm and 37g, tiny specks racing around as they forage for molluscs and small crustaceans.

Plovers nest on beaches and stony areas close to water; their eggs are well camouflaged but vulnerable.

Over the past few years I’ve shared many images of the critically endangered Hooded Plover, and some beaut shots of Black-fronted and Red-kneed Dotterels, which can be found by using the search box.

I haven’t had the chance to see plovers since the beginning of this challenging year. I’m missing my wanders, a lot. I’m missing my family, a lot. I’m grateful to everyone who’s in a similar position as we strive to keep each other safe.

Happy birding from home if you’re in a lockdown area, take care out there, Kim

~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group  Ethical Bird Photography