Charadrius veredus Gould, 1848

Taxonomy and Common Name

This species is Charadrius veredus Gould, 1848, commonly known as the oriental plover.

Breeding Male Plumage

For adult males in breeding plumage, the face, throat, and fore-crown are white, while the hind-crown, hind-neck, and back are grey-brown. The belly is white, marked by a narrow black band followed by a broad chestnut breast band that merges into the white throat.

Non-breeding and Female Plumage

Females, juveniles, and non-breeding males have generally grey-brown upperparts, a white belly, a pale face, and a white streak above the eye.

Size and Morphometrics

The species measures 21–25 cm in length, has a wingspan of 46–53 cm, and weighs 95 g. Among red-breasted Charadrius plovers, this bird is relatively large, with long legs and long wings.

Breeding and Migration Range

It breeds in Mongolia, eastern Russia, and Manchuria, and migrates through eastern China and South-East Asia to reach Indonesia and northern Australia.

Vagrant Occurrences

It is rare in New Guinea, and has occurred as a straggler to New Zealand and Europe, with four records from Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

Breeding Habitat

The oriental plover breeds in dry steppes, deserts, arid grasslands, and saltpans.

Non-breeding Habitat

Its non-breeding habitat includes grasslands, salt-fields, and coastal areas.

Diet

The oriental plover feeds mainly on insects.