Peltohyas australis (Gould, 1841)

Taxonomy and general appearance

The inland dotterel, Peltohyas australis, is a medium-sized plover with distinctive cryptic plumage.

Size and measurements

Males and females are similar in size and appearance: they measure 19–23 cm (7.5–9 in) in length, have a 43–47 cm (17–19 in) wingspan, weigh 80–90 g (2.8–3.2 oz), and have a short 1.7 cm (0.67 in) long bill.

Distinguishability from similar species

When found in its typical habitat, it is unlikely to be mistaken for any other plover species.

Upperpart plumage

Its upperparts are a rich sandy buff, mottled with dark brown.

Head markings

A unique black band runs across its crown and extends down through the eye.

Facial and neck plumage

The face, ear coverts, neck, and vent are all white.

Breast and belly band

A broad black Y-shaped band extends from the hindneck down the sides of the neck, across the breast, to the centre of the belly.

Underpart plumage

Below this band, the breast, flanks, and belly are sandy buff.

Leg and foot coloration

The legs are pale buff, with noticeably darker feet.

Eye and bill features

The eye is dark brown, and the bill is short and dark.

Non-breeding plumage

Maclean observed that inland dotterels moult into a paler, less boldly marked non-breeding plumage.

Immature plumage

Immature birds lack the distinct black head, neck, and breast markings that adult birds have.

Vocalizations

Inland dotterels call infrequently; most calls are short, quiet, quick or guttural kroot or krrr sounds given when the bird takes flight.

Chick down characteristics

The precocial young have short, dense downy feathers.

Juvenile appearance

Young birds have pinkish-buff or cream upperparts with a heavy pattern of dark brown blotches, off-white underparts, and pale yellow bills and legs.

Distribution range

This species is widely distributed across the arid south-east and south-west of Australia.

Range parameters

Its range matches areas that lie below the 100mm summer rainfall isohyet, and it can be found in suitable habitat across all of Australia’s mainland states.

Preferred vegetation habitat

Inland dotterels prefer sparsely vegetated habitat with low 200–400 mm (7.9–15.7 in) tall cover of saltbush, bluebush, or samphire, which provides the species with food and shelter.

Substrate habitat

It is most often found on gibber plains, clay pans, and gravel flats.

Anthropogenic habitat impact

It is thought to have benefited from land clearance for agriculture after European settlement.

Movement patterns

The species’ movement patterns are not well understood.

Seasonal and disturbance movement

There appear to be seasonal movements south in spring and north in summer, and some movement beyond the species’ normal range occurs when excessive rain or severe drought makes habitat unsuitable.

Vagrant records

Vagrant individuals have been observed as far north-east as Sydney, New South Wales.

Daytime flocking behavior

During the day, inland dotterels typically gather in loose flocks of 10 to 20 birds, and occasionally flocks can number hundreds of individuals.

Daytime activity

They are generally inactive during the day, though they will forage on plants.

Nighttime activity

Flocks disperse at dusk, and the species is most active at night, when individual birds hunt for a variety of insect prey.

Nighttime encounters

They are often encountered on outback roads during this night-time activity.

Temperature tolerance

Inland dotterels tolerate high temperatures, but will seek shelter if temperatures exceed 40 °C (104 °F).

Anti-predator behavior

When approached, they prefer to run away rather than fly.

Daytime diet

During the day, inland dotterels eat the fleshy tips of desert shrubs.

Salt gland adaptation

They have supraorbital salt glands, which are thought to allow them to remove salt from the plants they eat, letting them gain water from herbivory.

Drinking behavior

Large flocks have occasionally been observed gathering to drink at stock tanks and clay-pans.

Nighttime diet

At night, the species is insectivorous; gut contents have recorded spiders, grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and earwigs as part of their diet.