Red-capped Plover
Anarhynchus ruficapillus
Small energetic plover with a fine bill, white underparts, and pale gray back. Lacks breast band. Adult has an obvious rusty-red cap, whereas juvenile has varying reddish tinges on the back of the head. Occurs beside a wide variety of saline wetlands where it moves quickly as it forages along the ground. Common around inland lakes as well as at the coast.
Identification
Red-capped plovers have a white forehead and underparts. Their upperparts are mainly grey-brown. Adult males have a rufous or reddish-brown crown and hindneck. Adult females have a paler rufous and grey-brown crown and hindneck, with a pale loreal stripe. The upperwing of Charadrius ruficapillus shows dark brown remiges (flight feathers) and primary covert feathers with a white wingbar in flight. Its length is 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) and its wingspan is 27–34 cm (10.6–13.4 in); it weighs 35–40 g (1.2–1.4 oz).<p>Breeding plumage shows a red-brown crown and nape with black margins. Non-breeding plumage is duller and lacks the black margins.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Anarhynchus ruficapillus
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1821)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Charadriidae
- Genus
- Anarhynchus
Range and habitat
The red-capped plover is widespread in Australia; it is a vagrant to New Zealand, although it bred there for some time in small numbers from 1950–1980. The species occupies a range of coastal and inland habitats, including estuaries, bays, beaches, sandflats, and mudflats; inland saline wetlands. It is also found in inland wetland areas with bare ground.
- Breeding range
- AU : Timor (e Lesser Sundas), inland and coastal Australia and Tasmania
- Non-breeding range
- to e Java
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
With a large range and no evidence of significant population decline, this species' conservation status is of Least Concern.
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Wangi-wangi White-eye
Zosterops paruhbesar
Only described in 2022; endemic to the island of Wangi-Wangi in the Tukangbesi archipelago off the southeastern tip of Sulawesi. Relatively large and lanky for a white-eye, with a striking orangey-yellow bill immediately distinguishing it from Wakatobi White-eye, the only other white-eye on the island. Also note the pale belly and chest contrasting with the relatively dull yellow upperparts and yellow throat. Found throughout the island in patches of taller and denser forest, although uncommon and already declining due to habitat loss and trapping for the cagebird trade. Gives a variety of calls, including a distinctive nasal series and a stuttered "tew-tew-tew." The less commonly heard song is a sweet warbling phrase, slower, lower-pitched, and less rambling than the song of Wakatobi White-eye.
Caroline Islands White-eye
Zosterops semperi
A small bird, yellowish-olive above, buffy-olive below, with a bold white eye-ring, a yellow spot in front of the eye, and a thin black stripe from the bill under the eye. Found in forest and scrub. Voice includes squeaky chirps and high-pitched short whistles.
Indian Cuckooshrike
Coracina macei
A large gray cuckooshrike with a strong, hooked bill. Upperparts are mostly gray with black primaries; male darker than female. Note pale patch on back and white tail tips when bird is in flight. Male is gray with a lightly barred white belly. Female has denser barring that transitions to a white lower belly and undertail. Both sexes have a dark patch from the bill to slightly behind the eye, giving a masked impression. Juvenile is brownish, heavily scaled with whitish-buff, and mottled on the underparts. Immature has broader white edges to wing feathers. Vocal. Often gives a two-noted, rather nasal “gii-yaak,” uttered in flight as well as from a perch; also gives scratchy squeal calls. Inhabits lightly wooded country, avoiding wet forests.
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