30 November 2011

Masked Lapwing (Plover)

Equipped with a thorn-like spur on the wing shoulder, and being reputed to having an aggressive nature, this Plover Vanellus miles, went every which way to avoid being "shot at".  With an  "o.k. then, I'm not looking at you while you've got that camera pointed at me" attitude happening.



"She's still doing it; I'll just wander up under this parked car"



"Looks like she's driving off now; I'll go over the other side here"



I can hardly believe that Plover was eating those grass-heads; I rather think it was another decoy moment.  According to Birds in Backyards they feed on insects and their larvae, also earthworms.  You can also listen to the Plover's alarm-call MP3, found on this same link.


for

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was not familiar with this bird..thank you for the info as I love to learn about them..Michelle

Unknown said...

Great post of a beauty!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

theconstantwalker said...

A beautiful little plover to see... thanks for sharing your images.

eileeninmd said...

What a cool looking bird, great photos. Thanks for sharing this world bird.

TexWisGirl said...

a very interesting yellow mask he wears! shy (or cantakerous) thing!

Debbie said...

wow....these shots are wonderful, so much feather detail and i rather like the cute little yellow mask!!

mick said...

Great photos. Those birds are definitely aggressive - and intimidating to have one of those diving bombing and screaming at the same time! When they are breeding around my place I can't go outside my gate without holding something over my head. An umbrella works well!

Kelly said...

Hahaha...cute post, Carole....and what an interesting looking bird! I love that yellow mask.

Nadege, said...

Lovely captures.

Reena said...

Great shots and love his yellow eye trimmings.

Lyn S said...

The plover certainly didn't want to co-operate with posing Carole! Great photos though!

Unknown said...

very pretty shots...i loved the one at the parked car and the feeding shot!

Cheers,
My Third Eye

LeenaH said...

Great photos and words :)

Thank you for your kind comment on my site, Carol and also for caring my cold fingers :)
I can tell you that it is not yet cold, frosts are coming.
This photo is taken when it was -20 Celsius / -4 F . Then it is a little cold also to my fingers but fortunately Canon 550 can bear it :)

LeenaH said...

Here it is a link to the freezing Bullfinch
http://fromjoensuu.blogspot.com/2010/01/freezing-toes-o-fa-bullfinch.html

Stewart M said...

Hi there - we call these "birds of stress" because of their tendency to fly around calling madly for no real reason!

Great set of pictures.

Stewart M - Melbourne

Cuby said...

These are lovely photos of a delightful bird.

Brian King said...

Very unique looking bird! Great close-up's! Nice work!

Hilke Breder said...

Lovely shots of an interesting bird, Carol!

CameraCruise said...

Great photos!
I've never seen this bird before.
Thanks for sharing.

Jan Castle said...

So pretty Carole! Love your pics!!!!
Jan

Pat said...

Excellent shots! That yellow mask is so interesting.

Springman said...

I do not know how I've missed seeing this amazing bird before. Your pictures are great Carole, in spite of your polvers lack of cooperation!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Ahhh, THAT is a plover! Have seen the word which always signalled "some-birdy-thing-near-water" and had seen the bird. Now 2+2=4 :-)

Jeanne said...

Carole, what great shots those are. Especially like the last one who looks as if he has a yellow mask on. Have a great day!

Judy said...

What a funny face he has!

sunflowerkat said...

Glad you stuck with him until you could get a good angle. I love your suggested dialogue. If often seems like they're thinking "photo? Uh...NO!"