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| Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, along the Hastings River in Port Macquarie |
Masked lapwings, or masked plovers, also known as spur-winged plovers, and finally, this particular sub-species recognized as black-shouldered lapwings, are a common bird in Eastern Australia. We often see a pair running around the nearby playing fields and just recently saw that they have a chick.
The chicks are well camouflaged in the dry brown grass, and it was impossible to get very close (even with the zoom camera lens) without the parents getting very upset. You can't walk across the playing field without them starting their warning calls, get a little closer and they will start flying about as if about to swoop. I saw one chase away a pair of too-close galahs. The birds are very territorial with a distinctive call, which I now recognize since I've heard it several times!
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| It was only after I took these photos that I noticed the spurs on the wings. |
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| Parent, using diversionary tactics. |
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| Chick, well camouflaged. |
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| To me, these birds look a bit more like dinosaurs than other birds. |
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