Check out these names for animals images:
Moreton Island 0426
Image by Michael Dawes
Red-capped Plover
Scientific name: Charadrius ruficapillus
Family: Charadriidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Featured Bird Groups
Shore birds and waders
What does it look like?
Description
The adult male Red-capped Plover has a bright reddish chestnut crown (centre of crown can be grey brown) and nape, and grey brown mantle. There is a black incomplete band running down from the chestnut nape to the sides of the breast and a black line from the bill through and past the eye. The legs and short fine bill are black. In flight there is a clear white wing bar and white outer tail.The female is duller in colour, missing the dark breast patches. Young birds are similar but paler than the adults. Other names for this species are Red-capped Dotterel, Red-necked Dotterel and Sand Lark.
Similar species
The Red- capped Plover is similar to the non-breeding Lesser Sand (Mongolian) Plover, C. mongolus, the Kentish Plover, C. alexandrinus, and the non-breeding and juvenile Double-banded Plover, C. bicinctus.The Red- capped Plover is small, has light upperparts and white underneath and the red cap of the male is diagnostic. Its short rear end gives it a compact shape and it often stands tall, with long legs.
Where does it live?
Distribution
The Red-capped Plover is widespread throughout Australia.
Habitat
The Red-capped Plover is found in wetlands, especially in arid areas, and prefers saline and brackish waters.
Seasonal movements
The Red-capped Plover is resident. Movements are poorly known, but it may move between the coast and inland wetlands.
What does it do?
Feeding
The Red-capped Plover may be seen foraging for molluscs, small crustaceans and some vegetation, on mudflats, sandy beaches and salt-marsh.
Breeding
The nest site of the Red-capped Plover is a shallow scrape on a beach or stony area, nearly always close to water. Sometimes the nest is protected by a small plant or some rubbish. The eggs are usually well camouflaged.
Living with us
Living with humans
The Red-capped Plover is secure in Australia.The nest site location can be varied, but those built in sand and pebbles are vulnerable to damage by fisherman and off-road vehicles.
Raise your hand if you still need red for your face.
Image by e_monk
It seems the two near the center (3rd and 4th, left claws up) are black vultures roosting with (well, hanging out with) turkey vultures. Thanks to marsden.joseph and buckeye for the confirmation (below)
View large on black
~~~
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Incertae sedis
Family: Cathartidae
Genus: Coragyps
Species: C. atratus
Binomial name: Coragyps atratus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Incertae sedis
Family: Cathartidae
Genus: Cathartes
Species: C. aura
Binomial name: Cathartes aura
