Birds

Red-capped Plovers

April 10, 2011 by Clare M 10 Comments

The Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus is a very cute shorebird that is often seen scurrying along the shoreline around Australia. The estimated population is 95 000. They can be found in significant flocks along the coast, but also may be encountered at inland wetlands. The male bird has the “red cap” more than the female during the breeding season and is believed to take less interest in the nesting. Females seem to be the only sex to sit on the eggs according to literature, but no research appears to have been done on the night time routine. They both take responsibility protecting their young and remain in a family group for a period of time.

Male Red-capped Plover

Around Broome the breeding season does run throughout the year, but the majority of nesting occurs during our winter months after the cyclone season. You are most likely to come across a nest during July and August. They are quite happy to nest amongst the busiest sections of the beach and tolerate human traffic to some extent. This nest was in an area used by joggers due to the perfect soft sand for a good “work-out” and then it was marked, so they would run around it.

Female Red-capped Plover on nest in jogging area

Another nest was in the higher area behind where vehicles access the beach and despite the odds the eggs successfully hatched.

Female Red-capped Plover shading eggs from the midday sun

Both adults will display a “broken wing” to distract any intruders. They will do this to lead the intruder away from the nest area. It is not uncommon to experience this quite by accident due to the fact that the nests are so well camouflaged. If you follow the bird you know you will not accidentally stand on any eggs.

Female Red-capped Plover showing “broken wing” display

Once the eggs hatch the parents will keep them amongst the beach vegetation for a day and their tiny footprints are rather cute! An adult only weighs about 50 grams, so a chick hardly marks the sand.

Red-capped Plover family footprints

Once the tide goes out the family will venture out onto the sand and the chicks will need to learn to be dependant immediately. The adults will keep close and protect them as much as possible, but it all involves a lot of running around until they are able to fly.

Family group of Red-capped Plover

Sometimes the chicks will be rather bold and wander off on their own, but as you can see ….they have legs made for running!

Three day old Red-capped Plover

Sometimes a chick runs looking for shelter and it has no choice but to use what ever it can find on a big open beach. This is my favourite photo of where you can hide if you are small, cute and fluffy on Cable Beach…..

Red-capped Plover chick hiding in a footprint!

Looking forward to sharing more shorebird breeding with you, but of course most of the shorebirds here are migratory and are heading north to Siberia to return later in the year.

Written by Clare M
Clare and her husband, Grant, have lived permanently in Broome, Western Australia since 1999 after living in various outback locations around Western Australia and Darwin. She has lived in the Middle East and the United States and traveled extensively in Europe. She monitors Pied Oystercatchers breeding along a 23km stretch of Broome's coastline by bicycle and on foot. She chooses not to participate in social media, but rather wander off into the bush for peace and tranquility. Thankfully she can write posts in advance and get away from technology!