plovers and
masked lapwings
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If you need advice on swooping plovers, please visit Swooping Plovers
About Plovers and Masked Lapwings
Plovers or Masked Lapwings are fairly large birds. They have long reddish legs and large yellow facial wattles. Plovers inhabit virtually the whole of Australia and are commonly found on the shores of swamps and lakes. They commonly inhabit large grassy areas, particularly those areas cleared for pasture or parkland.
Plovers usually lay their eggs after local rains. They lay up to four eggs on the ground in a small depression in open areas so they can see their predators. However, these birds have now come to accept flat roofs as a suitable nesting site, as they are generally safe from humans and predation.
The eggs will hatch in about 28 days. Plovers have spurs on their wings however despite common belief, these are not poisonous.
Leaving the nest
Unlike many other dependent bird chicks, Masked Lapwing chicks have a full covering of down and are able to leave the nest and feed themselves a few hours after hatching.
Parents provide protection, direction and warmth. In urban environments plovers may lay their eggs on roof tops for safety. In most cases, the chicks will be able to jump down safely from the roof.
This is a natural process undertaken by many bird species, including some ducks who nest in tree hollows, and the chicks are remarkably resilient to the long fall but may require assistance if the distance is too great. In some circumstances, the chicks may not be able to jump and may require assistance to reach the ground. However, interference with chicks should only occur on an absolute necessity basis.
It is possible to reunite chicks with their parents at ground level in these situations, call WIRES 1300 094 737 for advice.
Report a Rescue
For wildlife rescue assistance you must call 1300 094 737 or fill in the Report a Rescue form. All other forms of contact including Facebook are not monitored for rescues.