kentish plover
Birds of Namibia
Introduction: Kentish plovers (Charadrius
alexandrinus) are rare in Namibia with only a few sightings recorded along a
few selected coastal locations with sandy beaches and tidal mudflats.
Distribution: Walvis Bay and Swakopmund and Ugab River mouth.
Diet: Uses the typical plover run-stop-search technique to catch and snatch small invertebrate from the surface. Foot-trembling is another ploy to attract prey to the surface.
Description: First description believed to be in Alexandria in Egypt. A characteristic is their small and fragile looking legs, set far back under the body, which gives the body a look that is front-heavy making the rear appear rather short.
Breeding: Breeds outside of Namibia.
Size: 15cm. Weight: 45g.
