ANIMAL: Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles Type of Animal: Plover Habitat: Wetlands, wetland edges, pastureland, mudflats/associated open areas, coastal areas, parks, farmland, fields near water, playing/sports fields, marshes/associated open areas, beaches, short grass turf, lawns, tops of buildings, grassland, urban/suburban areas, open areas near estuaries, median strips, golf courses, airports, roadside clearings, areas near train lines, urban nature strips, industrial sites, salt-works, gravel pits, desert, small traffic islands near busy motorways Location(s): Australia, New Guinea, Aru Islands, New Zealand, New Caledonia, E Indonesia, Lord Howe Island, Solomon Islands, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island Appearance: One of the largest plovers, northern subspecies has all white neck & large yellow wattle, southern subspecies has black-neck stripe & smaller wattle, males have slightly larger wattles, both subspecies white in belly, northern subspecies smaller w/ larger wattle, juveniles darker on back, adults brownish-grayish on wings/back Food/Diet: Insects, larvae, worms, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, crustaceans, snails, slugs, seeds, leaves, greens, frogs, fruit, eggs, vegetables Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos & wildlife parks Lifestyle: Flocks of 2-100 birds-groups smaller during breeding/nesting season Additional Info: Called: Male: Cock Female: Hen Young: Chick Group: Flock Weight: Male: 8.1-14.5 oz Female: 6.74-14.46 oz Young: 4.5 oz Gestation: 1 month Life Span: 15-20 years Height: 1-1.25 ft, same for both sexes Body Length: 1-1.25 ft, same for both sexes Tail Length: 4 in, same for both sexes Main predators of adults are canids, cats, harrier hawks, buzzards, falcons, owls, eagles, crocodiles, monitor lizards, & large snakes. Ravens, butcherbirds, currawongs, kookaburras, herons, & snakes prey on chicks. Also called Masked Plover & Spur-Winged Plover. Due to ground-living habits, these birds are highly alert. Some chicks stay w/ parents for up to 2 years, sometimes helping raise younger broods. Fun Fact(s): They can be quite bold & often aggressive during breeding/nesting season, sometimes dive-bombing/swooping at people/pets. Also utilize “broken wing” display & loud calls. Sometimes utilize sharp yellow wing-spurs to attack intruders.
