Introduction
The islands of Fiji serve as an important waypoint and occasional refuge for a diverse array of migratory and vagrant shorebirds, including species such as the Black-bellied Plover, Pacific Golden-plover, Masked Lapwing, Lesser Sand-plover, Caspian Plover, and Double-banded Plover. We dip our toe into these amazing migratory avian wonders below. These birds, recognized for their striking plumage and distinctive behaviors, contribute to the rich tapestry of avian life in the region, showcasing adaptations for both Arctic breeding grounds and far-flung Pacific migrations.
Fun Fact 1: Distinctive way of Nesting
Did you know that plovers and lapwings are known for their distinctive way of nesting? Instead of building nests, they often create simple scrapes in the ground, sometimes lined with small pebbles or bits of vegetation. This minimalistic approach helps them blend into their surroundings while keeping their eggs and chicks relatively safe!
Fun Fact 2: Impressive Aerial Displays of Courtship
Their impressive aerial displays during courtship. This can include acrobatic flights, swooping dives, and calling loudly to attract a mate. These displays not only showcase their agility but also play a crucial role in bonding between mates and establishing territories. It’s a spectacular sight to behold in the natural world!
| Black-bellied Plover | Pacific Golden-plover | Masked Lapwing |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Lesser Sand-plover | Caspian Plover | Double-banded Plover |
 |  |  |
Black-bellied Plover
The Black-bellied Plover, scientifically known as Pluvialis squatarola, is a large cosmopolitan plover breeding in Arctic regions. It is a robust medium-sized shorebird recognized by its stout bill and distinctive appearance across seasons. During breeding, it exhibits a striking black face and belly with bold black-and-white patterns on its upperparts, along with a clean white under tail. In its nonbreeding plumage, it appears more uniformly gray with a whitish belly. Juveniles display crisp patterns above with hints of golden hues. Notably, its stockier build, thicker bill, and black “armpits” in flight distinguish it from similar species like golden-plovers.
Common Name:Â Black-bellied Plover
Scientific Name:Â Pluvialis squatarola
Recorded Sightings:Â Viti Levu – Vanua Levu – Taveuni – Kadavu – Lomaiviti – Lau – Rotuma
Image Supplied:Â Hans Hillewaert. (2011).
Pacific Golden-plover
The Pacific golden plover (Pluvialis fulva) is a migratory shorebird that breeds in Arctic regions of Alaska and Siberia during the summer months. Outside of the breeding season, this medium-sized plover undertakes extensive migration across the Pacific.
In its breeding plumage, males display a striking pattern of gold and black on the crown, back, and wings, complemented by a black face and neck bordered with white, a black breast, and dark rump. Females resemble males but with a less distinct black breast. During the nonbreeding season, both sexes appear similar, with dark brown, gray, and yellowish patterning and lighter underparts replacing the breeding colors. This species molts to its breeding plumage before migration, a process that typically begins in March and April.
Common Name:Â Pacific Golden-plover
Scientific Name:Â Pluvialis fulva
Recorded Sightings:Â Viti Levu – Vanua Levu – Taveuni – Kadavu – Lomaiviti – Lau – Rotuma
Image Supplied:Â Flickr.
Masked Lapwing
The masked lapwing, also known as Vanellus miles, is the largest member of the Charadriidae family, measuring between 30 to 37 cm (12 to 15 in) in length with a wingspan of 75–85 cm (30–33 in). It is distinguished by a prominent yellow spur on each wing’s carpal joint and sports a large yellow wattle extending across its forehead and bill.
This noisy bird is found in Australia, New Zealand, and across the South Pacific, thriving in many different habitats including urban parks, grasslands, riverbeds, wetlands, and coastal areas. It primarily feeds on insects and worms, and during the nesting season, it is known for its defensive swooping behavior.
Common Name:Â Masked Lapwing
Scientific Name:Â Vanellus miles
Recorded Sightings:Â Viti Levu – Vanua Levu – Taveuni – Kadavu – Lomaiviti – Lau – Rotuma
Image Supplied:Â Lars Nissen. (2021).
Lesser Sand-plover
The Lesser Sand-plover (Charadrius mongolus) is a small wader in the plover family of birds. This chunky plover is long-legged and long-billed. Breeding males have grey backs and white underparts. The breast, forehead and nape are chestnut, and there is a black eye mask. The female is duller, and winter and juvenile birds lack the chestnut, apart from a hint of rufous on the head. Legs are dark and the bill black.
Common Name:Â Lesser Sand-plover
Scientific Name:Â Charadrius mongolus
Recorded Sightings:Â Viti Levu – Vanua Levu – Taveuni – Kadavu – Lomaiviti – Lau – Rotuma
Image Supplied:Â Unknown.
Caspian Plover
The Caspian plover (Charadrius asiaticus) belongs to the plover family of birds and is slightly larger than the ringed plover. Its appearance resembles that of the greater sandplover and lesser sandplover, yet it is slimmer with longer legs, a prominent white supercilium, and a long thin bill. Unlike sandplovers, it lacks white tail sides and a weak wing bar. Breeding males display a striking white face and belly divided by a broad chestnut patch on the chest, while breeding females are plainer brown with a warm rusty-brown chest patch.
Nonbreeding adults and juveniles are grayish-brown with pale feather fringes on the upperparts, and they emit short nasal calls in flight.
Common Name:Â Caspian Plover
Scientific Name:Â Charadrius asiaticus
Recorded Sightings:Â Viti Levu – Vanua Levu – Taveuni – Kadavu – Lomaiviti – Lau – Rotuma
Image Supplied:Â Unknown
Double-banded Plover
The double-banded plover (Charadrius bicinctus) is a species of bird in the plover family, known for its dark, grey-brown back and distinctive white chest adorned with a thin black band below the neck and a broader brown band further down. During breeding season, these markings are more prominent in males than females. Juveniles lack bands and are typically speckled brown on top with less white.
Their agile flight is supported by long, pointed wings, and they are characterized by a prominent head with large, dark-brown eyes and a sturdy black bill. Spotting them can be challenging in their habitat due to their camouflaged colors, but their distinctive “chirp-chirp” call and quick feeding habits often attract observers’ attention.
Common Name:Â Double-banded Plover
Scientific Name:Â Charadrius bicinctus
Recorded Sightings:Â Viti Levu – Vanua Levu – Taveuni – Kadavu – Lomaiviti – Lau – Rotuma
Image Supplied:Â Unknown.
NatureFiji-MareqetiViti is Fiji’s only domestic NGO working solely for the conservation and sustainable management of Fiji’s unique natural heritage – Link
That’s all, folks! No extra info to dig into this time!
Just a quick note—no footnotes to add this time!
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