Three-banded Plover
Three banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris )
The three- banded Plover (Charadrius tricollarius ) is an African bird of the family of plovers ( Charadriidae ). There are two subspecies.
Description
The three- banded Plover is easily distinguished from other plovers species by its twin black breast band. In addition, he has an eye-catching red ring around the eyes and a red beak approach. The adult animal reaches a size of 18 cm.
The appearance of male and female birds is the same. In young birds, the colors of the plumage are less pronounced, also lacks the red eye ring.
As with most plovers food intake takes place in a rhythm that consists of a fast running, a sudden stop and a pecking.
The nominate Charadrius tricollaris tricollaris distinguished by the lighter face and the lighter neck of the endemic Madagascar subspecies Charadrius tricollaris bifrontus.
Habitat
The three- banded Plover is to be found in all areas of water with sandy or gravelly shoreline. The distribution is southern Africa (Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique ) without the Kalahari region. It also occurs on Madagascar. It is widespread and not in danger. In South Africa, the number of three- banded Plover takes even before. The species benefits from the expansion of irrigation facilities.
Nutrition
On the menu of the three- band plover are worms, insects, larvae and crustaceans.