Name
White-fronted Plover
Latin Name
Charadrius marginatus
Family
Charadriidae
Length
9 cm
Habitat
White-fronted Plover frequents sandy shores, dunes and sandy rivers where it occurs singly or in small parties.
Bird Call
In flight a soft 'wit' or 'twit' or 'twirit'. Alarm note a loud 'kittup' or a long drawn out 'churr'.
Breeding
White-fronted Plover breeds throughout the year, mainly August - September. The eggs are usually three-quarters covered with wind-blown sand on hot days. Eggs usually 2, pointed ovals, creamy buff, marked with fine line of dark brown scattered over the surface. Incubation 27 - 33 days. Nestling period 35 - 38 days.
Immature Description
Immature lacks any black on head but white band across nape is present. Nestling grey above, mottled with black forming lines down centre of crown and black, ear coverts and sides of back; white below.
Adult Description
The male White-fronted Plover has a more conspicuous black line behind eye and usually small dark patches on sides of breast. The birds from the western Cape are white below and grey-brown above. Two races are recognized. Eyes brown, bill and legs black.
Status
Common resident.
Distribution
A species mainly coastal, but also recorded from the larger rivers and inland lakes.
