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:

  1. Anonymous7:54 am

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  7. 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!

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

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great shots and love his yellow eye trimmings.

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

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

    Cheers,
    My Third Eye

    ReplyDelete
  12. 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 :)

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

    ReplyDelete
  14. 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

    ReplyDelete
  15. These are lovely photos of a delightful bird.

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

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lovely shots of an interesting bird, Carol!

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

    ReplyDelete
  19. So pretty Carole! Love your pics!!!!
    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  20. Excellent shots! That yellow mask is so interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  21. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  22. 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 :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a funny face he has!

    ReplyDelete
  25. 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!"

    ReplyDelete

thanks for visiting Snap Happy Birding, and for leaving a comment; I can still see them. Now both my blogs are resting in idle mode. It was time to give other things priority, even though I miss my regular blogging and the feedback that came my way over the years. Take care.