Double-banded Plover

Scientific Name: Charadrius bicinctus

Description: A migrant from New Zealand where it breeds in summer, the Double-banded Plover is most often seen along the ocean and estuarine beaches between the months of March and September.

The plovers feed on invertebrates found on the sand and in the surface of the estuarine silt. On the ocean beaches, stranded seaweed provides them shelter from the winter wind. On the estuary the birds rest among the low shoreline vegetation when not feeding. Most birds we see lack the bright chest bands of the breeding birds, being in immature or eclipse plumage.

Type: Bird
Where to find: Beaches
Size: 16cm