2016 Bonanza Bird #6: Masked Lapwing

November 30, 2016 in Birdorable Bonanza 2016 and Lapwings with 2 comments

Today's new bird in this special 10th anniversary Birdorable Bonanza is the Masked Lapwing, a species found in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and New Guinea.

There are two distinct subspecies of Masked Lapwing; birds in the northern range have an all white-neck while southern-dwelling birds have a distinct black neck stripe. The size of the wattles varies between the subspecies as well.

Male and female Masked Lapwings look alike; both have greyish-brown upperparts and white underparts. Their plumage does not change seasonally. Males and females both also have yellow wing spurs that are used in defending the nest or territory. Swooping attacks against potential invaders are especially common at nest sites after chicks have hatched and are mobile.

Photo by Greg Schechter (CC BY 2.0)

Tomorrow's new bird is a shy Eurasian forest species with a striking plumage and a melodious song. Can you guess the species?

Comments

Spurwing Plover on December 10, 2016 at 5:12 PM wrote:

Please dont make them angry their very biligerate when their angry

I love Falcons on December 19, 2016 at 2:42 PM wrote:

I think it's a white cheeked turaco?

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.

Your name (required)

Your email address (required)

Your email address will not be published

Comment (required)

I agree to receive updates and news from Birdorable

You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy. By clicking submit below, you consent to allow Birdorable to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.

2021 Bonanza Bird #3

Meet the Colorful Birdorable Blue-gray Tanager: A Tropical Delight!

November 18, 2021

Today, we're thrilled to introduce the vibrant and charming Blue-gray Tanager to the Birdorable family! This tropical beauty is sure to captivate bird enthusiasts with its stunning appearance and delightful personality. Blue-gray Tanagers are native to a wide range of habitats, making...

2017 Bonanza Bird #8: South Island Takahē

December 1, 2017

Take a look at this beauty! Today a colorful New Zealand rail joins Birdorable! Introducing our South Island Takahe! The South Island Takahē is a large flightless species of rail that was once thought to be extinct. A similar species, the...

2017 Bonanza Bird #1: Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

November 24, 2017

As 2017 winds down, it's time for us to reveal some new birds as part of our annual Birdorable Bonanza! This time we'll introduce 12 birds, from November 24th through December 5th. Today's new bird joins the Birdorable raptor family. The Black-and-white...

2020 Bonanza Bird #15

Asia's Feathered Gem: Introducing the Birdorable Red-billed Blue-Magpie

December 7, 2020

The Red-billed Blue-Magpie, scientifically known as Urocissa erythroryncha, is a beautiful member of the corvid family. These striking birds are primarily found in various parts of Asia, where their vibrant plumage and distinctive features make them a true marvel of nature. One of...

Birdorable Blog