Common Species in the Northern Territory
Masked Lapwing
Family: Charadriiformes
Scientific names: Vanellus miles
Other names: Plover, Spur-winged plover
Conservation Status
- Australia: Secure
- NT: Least Concern
Description
At 35 cm, this species is the largest representative of the family Charadriidae. There are two distinct races, the Masked Lapwing of Northern Australia (Vanellus miles miles) which has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles with the male having a distinctive mask and larger wattles and the Spur-winged Plover of the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae) which has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles. The chicks reach full height after 4 to 5 months and will often stay with the parents for up to 1 to 2 years. They are usually found in pairs or small family groups during the breeding season and in other times may be in flocks. They spend most of their time on the ground searching for food such as insects and worms and as such they are always alert and even though they rest they never sleep properly.
Distribution
The Masked Lapwing can be found widely distributed across the northern half of Australia. They prefer a habitat that is mostly open, short grassed, often besides a waterbody, but are adaptable and can often be found in surprisingly arid areas. They can also be found on beaches and coastlines where they tend to be in flocks.
Ecology
Some Masked Lapwings, especially some that live in residential suburban areas never breed due to increased disturbances such as people on footpaths or vehicles. Plovers usually nest in a small depression in the ground, laying 3 to 4 eggs which take about 28 days to hatch These birds are born as precocial chicks, young birds being born covered by downy feathers, and having long thin legs. They are able to feed themselves right from birth, only requiring a bit of encouragement from their parents who pick up food items such as insects and place them down in front of their young. The parent birds generally protect their young by squawking loudly to attract the attention of potential predators and running in opposite directions to where the young are, sometimes they will drop one wing down to make it look like they are injured and an easy catch for a predator.
These birds are mainly insect eaters, but will also occasionally take seeds and greens or occasionally small fish and crustaceans from the edge of creeks and waterways.
Common problems and solutions
Problem
- Masked lapwings are best known for their bold nesting habits, being quite prepared to make a nest on almost any stretch of open ground, including suburban parks and gardens, school ovals, and even supermarket car-parks. The nesting pair will then defend their territory against all intruders by calling loudly, spreading their wings, and then swooping fast and low. The most vicious attacks are usually on other birds, cats and dogs.
Solution
- Breeding season is from November to June and their swooping behaviour should decrease after 2-3 months once the chicks reach 60% of their adult size.
- Wear a hat or headgear
- carry a stick or umbrella (no need to wave stick about unless attacked) or put a flag on the back of a bicycle
- avoid the area.
- Do not panic and run, it will only encourage a swooping bird to continue its attack as most swooping behaviour is a form of bluffing.
- Put up warning signs for others who may not be aware that there are swooping birds in the area
- Travel in a group.
- modify the habitat to make it unsuitable for them to breed by allowing the grass to grow long or by planting shrubs.
Note
Masked Lapwing is a protected species in the Northern Territory. For this reason, it is important that members of the public do not interfere with these animals without an appropriate permit.