Chestnut-banded Plover

The Chestnut-banded Plover, Anarhynchus pallidus, is a diminutive and charming bird, standing at a mere 15 cm in height. It is adorned with a striking chestnut band across its breast and a matching band on its fore-crown, which contrasts beautifully with its white forehead, throat, and belly. The back and crown of this bird are a muted greyish brown, providing a subtle backdrop to its more vivid markings. Its dark legs are proportionally long, leading the eye to its black bill, which is framed by black lores and eye-stripes, giving it a distinctive appearance.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Chestnut-banded Plover, look for its characteristic chestnut bands on the breast and fore-crown, which are key distinguishing features. The bird's long dark legs, black bill, and the contrast between the white and chestnut on its body are also helpful identification markers.

Habitat

This species has a strong affinity for alkaline and saline waters, often found in environments that many other species would find inhospitable.

Distribution

The Chestnut-banded Plover has a broad range across Southern Africa, with two distinct populations. The nominate subspecies is distributed across Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. A separate subspecies, venustus, is endemic to the Rift Valley in Kenya and Tanzania.

Behaviour

The Chestnut-banded Plover is a partial migrant, though its movements are not well understood and vary throughout its range. The species' numbers fluctuate annually, particularly in response to drought conditions at inland breeding sites. This bird is typically observed in pairs or small groups, and during the breeding season, pairs are territorial. In contrast, during the non-breeding season, it can form large communities, sometimes aggregating in flocks of up to 60 individuals and occasionally roosting with other plover species.

Breeding

Breeding habits are closely tied to rainfall, with the species preferring to nest in alkaline and saline wetlands, including inland salt pans and man-made salt ponds. At the coast, they breed around lagoons and salt marshes, often within 50m of the water's edge. The nest is a simple scrape in the ground, typically 5 cm in diameter and 1 cm deep.

Diet and Feeding

While the exact diet of the Chestnut-banded Plover is not fully known, it is believed to feed on insect larvae and small crustaceans.

Conservation status

Despite its large range, the Chestnut-banded Plover is evaluated as Near Threatened due to its occurrence at fewer than ten locations during the non-breeding season and the declining quality of these habitats. The global population is estimated at around 17,500 individuals, with key sites facing threats from human activities.