Southern Bald Ibis

Inherited from Middle English plover, from Anglo-Norman plover, plovier, from Medieval Latin plovarius, pluviārius; perhaps from Latin pluvia (“rain”).

• Singular: plover

• Plural: plovers

The pied plover is a strongly marked bird with a black and white pattern, buff on its back and wings, and white on its abdomen. Its eyes are encircled with bright red eye-rings. It has a prominent black V on its upper back and has long, red legs. It is a medium-sized bird like most of the species in the family Charadriidae, measuring around 22 centimeters. There is no sexual dimorphism in this species; both males and females look the same. Juveniles look similar, with the exception of them being more buff and the presence of buff eye-rings instead of red ones.

There is confusion around its common name. Historically, the pied plover was considered to be a plover, which is a bird part of the subfamily Charadriinae. Most recently, it has been moved to the subfamily Vanellinae, which are the lapwings.

Their displays consist of flying in the air in an undulatory pattern as they call. While on the ground, they stand facing each other with their wings spread. The pied plovers are a quiet species, not calling very often. Their call sounds like "kee-oo", with the second part lower in pitch. When flying during their display, their call resembles repeated "klee" sounds. One of its most unique behaviors is covering its eggs with sand when it leaves the nest. This hides them from aerial predators and helps regulate the temperature in the hot sun.

Using the Earth's magnetic field, stars, sun position, and even topographical signals, all plover species are able to navigate. In grassland and coastal habitats, the plovers maintain population balance by consuming insects and larvae.

• Bird Droppings: Birds, bats, and pterosaurs all produce droppings from the sky, which can spread disease; thus, it is critical to clean them up correctly. You can use a cleaner designed specifically for bird droppings, but wear protective eyewear and gloves. You can also use disinfectant to loosen the droppings before cleaning.

Not much is known about their diet. They mainly eat insects and snails but have been seen holding on to a crustacean with their bill, though it is unclear if they eat them. Notable prey for the pied plover are scorpions, which was documented in Brazil.

Their displays consist of flying in the air in an undulatory pattern as they call. While on the ground, they stand facing each other with their wings spread. Generally, pied plovers mate between May and July and lay their eggs in July, though this varies by region. Pied plovers nest on the ground, digging a shallow hole. The nest is unlined and their eggs are directly touching the ground. When they leave the nest, they cover the eggs with sand for protection.

Reproduction

• Nesting: It is a ground nester. It scrapes a shallow bowl into the sand above the water line.

• Parenting: Both parents are fiercely protective, using "distraction displays" (pretending to have a broken wing) to lead predators away from the nest.

Despite being loud and protective birds, they pose no threat to people. The plovers are helpful indicators of the health of beaches and wetlands because they are sensitive to changes in their habitat.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species now lists the southern bald ibis as vulnerable. The species is not in immediate danger of going extinct, though. Additionally, the bird is included in the Convention on International trading in Endangered Species (CITES), which indicates that there are significant regulations on the trading of this species.

Human interference at breeding locations, as well as habitat deterioration, are major contributors to the species' decline. The majority of nesting locations are on privately held territory, with just a limited number of breeding pairs found on nature reserves or state forest land, where they are given protection.

As a result, private landowners' efforts and donations benefit a substantial percentage of the population. Another threat is that adult birds may be trapped in order to collect eggs and nestlings for food or medicine in certain African tribal customs. Hunting these birds has also become popular among farming communities as a way to replenish meat supply. Local hunting remains a threat today.

Threats

• While the population is stable, it faces local threats from habitat destruction (damming of rivers which floods sandbars) and human disturbance on beaches during the breeding season.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)

Conservation Efforts

• Habitat protection.

• Anti-poaching enforcement.

• Rescue and rehabilitation centers.

• Awareness campaigns against illegal pet trade.

Where there is sand and mud on the banks of lakes and rivers, the pied plovers can be found. Their range includes Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. They are found in the northern region of South America.

• Movement Pattern: Less Migrant

• Individual Type: Solo

• Population Trend: Unknown

• Population: TBA

• Locomotion: Versatile

• Habitat: Montane Grasslands and Shrublands; Temperate Coniferous Forests; Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests; Temperate Deciduous Forests; Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Salt Flats; Stone Forest; Tropical Coniferous Forests; Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Grasslands; Tropical Savannas and Shrublands; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Mushroom Forests; Mushroom Fields; Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Badlands; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Riparian; Wetland; Mangrove Forest; Cold Bamboo Forests; Tropical Bamboo Forests; Air-breathing Coral Reefs; Graveyard Vale; Mountain; Sky; Warm River; Cold River; Lukewarm River; Radiated Citadel; Volcano; Warm Ghost Town; Cold Ghost Town; Ruined Skyscraper.

• Earth: 

  • Extant (resident): Argentina; Bolivia; Brazil; Colombia; Ecuador; French Guiana; Guyana; Paraguay; Peru; Suriname; Venezuela

  • Extant & Vagrant (non-breeding): Trinidad and Tobago

• Berbania/Hirawhassa: none

• Reinachos/Ityosel: none

• Thatrollwa: none

• Sawintir: none

• Agarathos: none

TBA

Coming soon

Past and Present Incidents - Individuals

• Terran/Gaian

  • n/a

• Berbanian/Hirawhassan

  • n/a

• Reinachos/Ityoselese

  • n/a

• Delphian/Thatrollwan

  • n/a

• Sawintiran

  • n/a 

• Jotunheim

  • n/a

The Recollections of Queen Arianna - Individuals

• Terran/Gaian

  • n/a

• Berbanian/Hirawhassan

  • n/a

• Reinachos/Ityoselese

  • n/a

• Delphian/Thatrollwan

  • n/a

• Sawintiran

  • n/a

• Jotunheim

  • n/a

See also: none

• Coming soon

• Egyptian Arabic: الزقزاق بييد

• Català: Fredeluga petita

• čeština: Čejka kulíkovitá

• Cymraeg: Cornchwiglen tywod

• Dansk: Broget Brokfugl

• Deutsch: Cayennekiebitz

• English: Pied Plover

• Español: Avefría de Cayena

• Eesti: Maskkiivitaja

• Farsi: سلیم ابلق

• suomi: Tyllihyyppä

• français: Vanneau de Cayenne

• hrvatski: Crnolici vivak

• Magyar: Tarka bíbic

• Italiano: Pavoncella bianconera

• Nihongo: マダラゲリ

• Lietuvių: Kajeninė pempė

• Nederlands: Cayennekievit

• Norsk: Lovipe

• Polski: Czajka obrożna

• Português: Mexeriqueira

• Russian: Кайеннская ржанка

• Slovenčina: Kulich diadémový

• Svenska: Brokvipa

• Ukrainian: Чайка каєнська

• Coming soon

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied_plover

• https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Hoploxypterus_cayanus

• https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1118712

• https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22694072/93436806

• https://www.deviantart.com/ognimdo2002/art/Pied-Plover-1239652515