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Spur-wing Plover stand
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Spur-wing Plover defence stand.
I got a look at the eggs, but with the Spur-wing Plover in a defence stand of close is close enough I thought it best to not go any closer. A very un-nerving stand and look they give you.
She had moved off the eggs and was feeding a little way away but when I moved toward the nest she/he flew back beside the nest and took this stand. They walk around you at a distance with a stalking movement stopping to take this stand often.
Crop of 50- 75%
Same notes again as from the other shots.
The sexes are alike and there are no seasonal differences. Features that distinguish the masked lapwing from other plovers are its black crown and nape separated from the mantle by a white collar, white underparts, yellow bill, bright yellow wattle that reaches well behind the eye and hangs down beside the chin, and a long and sharp wing spur.
Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930’s the Spur-winged Plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries.
They eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.
Breeding occurs in late winter-to early spring. Birds pair for life and take up territories in May-July with successful breeding occupying 9-11 months. This period includes building the nest, incubation, brooding and caring for the young and defending the territory against intruders of own and other species.
The clutch of 1 – 4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 - 31 days.
Young leave the nest almost immediately after hatching, and some young leave before all eggs have hatched. They are guarded by both parents when small and the young may scatter over as much as 200 m if disturbed, with each adult guarding the chicks closet to it. The young follow parents but find their own food. Young usually fledge at 6-7 weeks but may vary from 5-8 weeks. Young are independent at about 8-10 months at an average of 40 weeks. Many families stay together after the young can fly. Birds can breed in their first year. |
elizabeth, eqshannon, cicindela has marked this note useful
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- cako
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 443 W: 0 N: 458]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(2293) - [2008-08-25 2:31]
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Hi Kathleen
very nice a bird
very good sharp
well done
Hi Kathy
Looks like he/she means business! Good capture with wonderful detail, especially in the face. Wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of their spurs!
Cheers
Elizabeth
don't stop posting these plover pics, they are all great! TFS ori
Gee Kathleen...you must have been laying down directly on the ground to grab this one..nice angle. The angle is what gives this some drama...almost a shootout between photographer and subject..Good notations on the species and the taking..
Bob
Hi Kathleen
Great shot! I like the low view you used. She looks like she is getting ready to charge you. Nice job.
TFS
Tom
They arent he prettiest birds, are they lol. I was going to say lovely shot lol, but its more of an action shot. Its very sharp and conveys the "Dont come any closer or you're for it" sense. The composition and pov is very interesting too. Great shot.
Cheers
Nicki
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- izler
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1302 W: 79 N: 869]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(8336) - [2008-08-26 9:32]
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merhaba Kathleen
wonderful capture of this plover with good eye contact
i like its pose, POV, colours and details
TFS
regards
izler
Hello Kathleen!
You presented a few picture of this interesting bird species, but I decided for this one because of very unusual and funny pose :) The face-to-face contact is very nice for watching :)
TFS and have a nice week!
Greetings from Lodz,
Radomir
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 80 W: 41 N: 14]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-n.gif)
(74)