Photo: Spur Winged Plover

The Spur Winged Plover is a common sight along the Southern Scenic Route in Otago on the South Island of New Zealand.

The Spur Winged Plover is a bird that is fairly common in Otago, New Zealand and one that you will likely come in contact with while traveling the Catlins Highway. They usually reside in the wet grass areas but have been spotted many times in pastures, sports playing areas and even along the sides of roads.

Their diet includes insects, worms and seeds and the coloring of the Spur Winged Plover is very recognizable. They have a black head with a black stripe that runs down each side of its neck as well as black feather tails. The backside is a light brown coloring with the remainder of its neck and belly being white. The Spur Winged Plover has a very loud squawk that they seem to enjoy making during the night which some people find extremely annoying. Come breeding time, be a little leery of the Spur Winged Plover as they are very cautious with their young and will defend their nest against any strangers which can include becoming fairly vicious. ... continue below the picture...

This picture is part of the photo album "Animal Pictures" - there are more beautiful images waiting for you.

...

Back in the 1930's, the Spur Winged Plover became self introduced to the Southland of New Zealand. Since then it has made a tremendous amount of growth in numbers and can be found throughout New Zealand.

Spur-winged Plover, Vanellus miles novaehollandiae, along the Southern Scenic Route, Catlins Highway, Otago, East Coast, South Island, New Zealand. Also known as masked plovers or masked lapwings were self introduced from Australia in the 1930's.