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Lesser Sand PloverAlternate name(s): "Mongolian Sand Plover", "Mongolian Plover", "Mongolian Dotterel" Size: 18-21 cm; wing span 49-58 cm Weight: 60-100 g |
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Similar |
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Photos |
Race "mongolus"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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BREEDING |
Frontal view of a male Lesser Sandplover in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Wellington Point, near Brisbane, QLD, March 2019]
Frontal view of a male Lesser Sandplover in worn breeding
plumage, centre,
with other waders (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, July 2018]
Near-lateral view of a male Lesser Sandplover in breeding
plumage; note
the black on the forehead and around the eyes, plus the
neat black fringe ontop of the breast band
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, March 2018]
Lateral view of a male Lesser Sandplover in breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Wellington Point, near Brisbane, QLD, March 2019]
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FEMALE |
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BREEDING |
Lateral view of a female Lesser Sandplover in breeding
plumage; note
the grey around the eyes and the absence of a black fringe
ontop of the breast band, which is scalloped, rather than
neat rufous (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Wellington Point, near Brisbane, QLD, March 2019]
Lateral view a female Lesser Sand Plover (centre), with three
Greater Sand Plovers,
all in breeding plumage
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, March 2013]
"Assortment" of waders, with two (probably female) Lesser Sandplovers
in near-breeding
plumage (centre and front
left), one Ruddy Turnstone
in breeding plumage
(front right), a second Ruddy
Turnstone in non-breeding plumage (front centre), one Greater Sand Plover in breeding
plumage (centre right) and
a second Greater Sand Plover in non-breeding
plumage (towards the
back right); on the right and front right there are also two
Red-necked Stints
(the smallest birds in the photo) in non-breeding plumage
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, March 2013]
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NON-BREEDING |
Sex unknown |
Frontal view of a Lesser Sandplover in non-breeding
plumage,
second from the left, together with four
Greater Sand Plovers,
also in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[East Point, Darwin, NT, July 2014]
Near-frontal view of a Lesser Sand Plover in non-breeding
plumage
[Bundjalung NP,
NSW, February 2012]
Lateral view of a Lesser Sand Plover in non-breeding
plumage
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[East Point, Darwin, NT, December 2015]
Lateral view of a Lesser Sand Plover in non-breeding
plumage;
this individual has an uncharacteristic complete breast band
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Deception Bay, QLD, February 2018]
Near-dorsal view a Lesser Sand Plover in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Lady Elliot Island, near Agnes Water, QLD, January 2016]
Direct comparison of a Lesser Sand Plover, left, with a
Greater Sand Plovers,
right, caught for banding
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, November 2018]
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Behaviour |
Social behaviour: Communal | Mobility: Migratory | Elementary unit: Flock |
Lesser Sand Plovers are often found together with Greater Sand Plovers.
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Food, Diet |
Lesser Sand Plovers feed on small invertebrates.
Male Lesser Sandplover in breeding
plumage
pulling a worm out of the sand
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Nudgee Beach, QLD, March 2018]