Vanellus tricolor was first described by French ornithologist, Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot, in 1818. This species is an Australian endemic found in the southern half of the country. In Tasmania it is found in the North and east of the state. Although once the most numerous Lapwings in Tasmania, they are now much less common.
Yesterday, in the fields opposite Devonport airport there were several Banded Lapwings present, at least one of which was in the company of two small chicks. As I got out of the car to take a photo one of them alighted and circled around giving a few warning calls as can be seen in the second photo.
They tend to be found in drier and more heavily grazed sites than the Masked Lapwing. Michael Sharland, in 'Tasmanian Birds' observed that the eggs are often laid among horse dropping as a means of camoflauge.
(Click on Photos to Enlarge)
Banded lapwing - Vanellus tricolor
Banded lapwing - Vanellus tricolor - Determined to see me off
The second photo is especially good but I reckon I would have been getting out of the way before then. Are they as aggressive as Masked Lapwing?
ReplyDeleteThanks Mick - They are said to be but this one kept it's distance. It is reacting to my presence but the long lens makes it look closer than it was.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird and stunning photos, specially the aeial one. Blimmey, those eggs must be big then! (-:
ReplyDeleteGood ones Mosura! We used to have them visit here thirty years ago, but they've long gone now. They occasionally turn up in the district though and we saw a flock a bit over twelve months ago when we were looking for Orange-bellied Parrots.
ReplyDeleteGreat in-flight shot, Mosura!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenny - LOL :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Duncan - I wonder why they are in slow decline in comparison to Masked Lapwing
Thanks Tilchef - Glad you like it