Little Ringed Plover, 10/24/2012

Most of the Little Ringed Plovers are categorized as common wintering birds in Taiwan. Some stay all year round and become local birds. They can often be seen at wetlands, intertidal zones or farm fields. Similar to Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Wood Sandpiper and Golden Plover, Little Ringed Plovers are among early wintering birds in Taiwan. They arrive in Taiwan as early as August each year. Their eye frames turn golden during breeding season. That's why they are called "golden frame" in Chinese.



adult taken at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/24/2012



adult taken at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/24/2012



adult taken at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 3/17/2012



adult taken at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 3/17/2012



sub-adult video recorded at Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10/24/2012



video recorded at Wugu Wetland, New Taipei City, Taiwan, on 12/24/2011

Chinese name:	小環頸鴴
English name:	Little Ringed Plover
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Charadrius dubius
Order:	Charadriiformes
Family:	Charadriidae
Species status:	Species
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Mostly winter migratory birds in Taiwan, some are local birds
Frequency of appearance:	Common in Taiwan
Foods:	Mollusks, insects
Habitat:	Wetlands, intertidal zones, coastal areas, estuaries, farm fields
Altitude:	Low altitude
Behavior:	Often appear alone in wetlands, intertidal zones or farm fields.
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 15 cm long. For males, there is a complete horizontal black ring around the neck, a wide horizontal black band above the forehead and another wide horizontal white band immediately above it. There is still an extra wide horizontal black band running from the upper bill base to the eye and then to the side neck. Females look like males, except that the black neck ring is mixed with brown stains. They can be distinguished from Kentish Plover by the horizontal white band on the head and the golden eye frame during breeding season. Summer plumage: During breeding seasons, eye frame turns into golden, and front forehead is white. Winter plumage: During non-breeding season, eye frame is no longer golden, and front forehead is no longer white. Similar species:
Breeding places:	Most breed in Europe and northern Asia. Some breed in parts of southern Asia such as Middle East and parts of China.
Migration destinations:	Wintering in central Africa, Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia, Indo-Pacific Islands, Taiwan, etc.
Time photographed:	11/12/2011, 12/4/2011, 3/17/2012, 10/24/2012
Location found:	Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park of Taipei City, and Wugu Wetland of New Taipei City, Taiwan
Sources:	Internet
Notes: