Vanellus miles miles

(Boddaert, 1783)

Vernacular names
English : Masked lapwing
French : Vanneau soldat

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Charadriiformes
Family : Charadriidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known

Identification
Adults can grow to 37 cm in length for a weight of 300 g. Long red legs. White plumage on belly, breast, nape and flanks. Wings are grey-brown. This subspecies has top of head and upper nape black. Yellow bill, conspicuous yellow wattles on face

Range and habitat
The species occurs in Australasia, in North-east and South New Guinea and most of the northern half of Australia. Other subspecies found in south Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. Lives in wetlands and open habitats with short grass, including gardens, to 500 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is common in the wild in most of its range although the bulk of the species’ population occurs in Australia. Its range is still expanding.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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