Which bird is known for its (often) poor nesting choices? It would be the Masked Lapwing.
In urban areas they like to raise their family in the middle of a roundabout or a supermarket carpark, then fiercely defend their family from anyone who dares come near them.
Erroneously referred to as a Plover, the southern species was known as the Spur-winged Plover because each wing is armed with a yellow spur at the ‘elbow’. Masked Lapwings use these spurs when diving at potential predators, but rarely do they actually strike, preferring to just ‘give them a scare’.
A large, conspicuous ground-dwelling bird, it is mainly white below, with brown wings and back and a black crown. They have a dramatic yellow ‘mask’ of large bright-yellow wattles (fleshy skin) covering the face.
The Masked Lapwing is common throughout northern, central and eastern Australia. Their habitat is varied, but they typically prefer open, short-grassed sites often beside water like swamps, marshes, mudflats and beaches.
When feeding, Lapwings stalk slowly and deliberately, dipping and stabbing at prey just below the surface, seeking out earthworms, insects and their larvae.
Breeding when conditions are suitable, both sexes share the building of the nest and incubation and care of young. The nest is a simple scrape on bare ground, unlined or sparsely lined with dry grass, rootlets or other plant debris.
A clutch of 3-4 is common. Being protective parents, they will huddle the young chicks underneath them for warmth and protection. Young birds are born with a full covering of down and can leave the nest and feed themselves a few hours after hatching.
The Masked Lapwing is notorious for defending of its nesting site, particularly after chicks have hatched. Adults will dive on intruders, and you may get a shock if one suddenly swoops towards you, making a loud ‘kekekekek’ call when you get too close, but it will rarely make contact. They may act as though they have a broken wing in an attempt to lure the intruder away from the nest.
After chicks have grown up, they will calm down and stop attacks.
BirdLife East Gippsland meet weekly for Monday morning outings. New members are always welcome. Check the Facebook page and Birdlife Australia events page for more information.
