Oriental Plover

The Oriental Plover (Anarhynchus veredus), also known as the Oriental Dotterel, is a medium-sized plover with a distinctive seasonal plumage. Adult males in breeding attire boast a striking white face, throat, and fore-crown, contrasted by a grey-brown hind-crown, hind-neck, and back. A narrow black band delineates the white belly, leading into a broad chestnut breast band that seamlessly merges with the white throat. Outside of the breeding season, as well as in females and juveniles, the plumage is more subdued, with generally grey-brown upperparts and a white belly, accented by a pale face with a white streak above the eye. This species is relatively large among the red-breasted Charadrius plovers, with long legs and wings. It measures 21–25 cm in length, has a wingspan of 46–53 cm, and weighs around 95 grams.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Oriental Plover, look for the characteristic chestnut breast band in breeding males. In non-breeding plumage, note the overall grey-brown coloration with white underparts and the distinctive white streak above the eye. Their long legs and wings are also key features to distinguish them from other plovers.

Habitat

The Oriental Plover breeds in the dry steppes, deserts, arid grasslands, and saltpans of Mongolia, eastern Russia, and Manchuria. During the non-breeding season, it can be found in grasslands, salt-fields, and coastal areas.

Distribution

This species breeds in Mongolia, eastern Russia, and Manchuria, and migrates through eastern China and Southeast Asia to reach its non-breeding grounds in Indonesia and northern Australia. It is a rare visitor to New Guinea and has been recorded as a straggler in New Zealand and Europe, with sightings in Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

Behaviour

The Oriental Plover is a migratory bird, undertaking a long southward journey each year to spend the non-breeding season in warmer climates. It is known to nest on the ground, but its breeding behavior has not been extensively studied.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Oriental Plover primarily consists of insects.

Breeding

Little is known about the breeding habits of the Oriental Plover, but it is established that they nest on the ground.

Conservation status

The Oriental Plover is estimated to have a population of around 160,000 individuals, with approximately 90% overwintering in Australia. With a large range and no significant evidence of population decline, the IUCN has classified the Oriental Plover as Least Concern.