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Black-fronted dotterel

January 01, 1970

The black-fronted dotterel (Charadrius melanops) is a small plover in the family Charadriidae that is found throughout much of Australia and New Zealand.

Black-fronted dotterel
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Charadrius
Species:
C. melanops
Binomial name
Charadrius melanops
Vieillot, 1818

Taxonomy edit

The black-fronted dotterel was formally described in 1818 by the French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot under the binomial name Charadrius melanops.[2] The type locality was subsequently designated as New South Wales.[3] The specific epithet combines the Ancient Greek melops meaning "black" with ōps meaning "face".[4] This species was previously placed in the monotypic genus Elseyornis but a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2022 found that it was embedded in a clade containing members of the genus Charadrius.[5] The black-fronted dotterel was therefore moved back to Charadrius. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.[6]

Description edit

As an adult, this small shorebird has an overall length of 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in), a wingspan of 33–35 cm (13–14 in) and a weight of 30–35 g (1.1–1.2 oz). The sexes are similar in appearance.[7] It has a distinct black face mask, forehead and v-shaped band across the chest. Dorsally it is a mottled brown colour with the wings and crown of the head the same colour. This colouration is particularly useful for camouflage against aerial predators. Orbital eye rings and the first section of the bill are red, with the latter being black at the tip. The legs are pale orange. Unlike many other wading birds, black-fronted dotterels retain the same plumage all year round.

Juveniles are duller in colour with a greyish beak and lacking the black breast band and forehead.[8]

Distribution and habitat edit

The black-fronted dotterel is widespread throughout Australia including in Tasmania and self-introduced in New Zealand where it is now also common.

It inhabits the edges of freshwater sources including wetlands, lakes, swamps, dams and billabongs, and in shallow, temporary claypan pools. Occasionally, it can also be found occupying saline mudflats and estuaries. It will avoid water more than a few mm deep and heavy vegetation. Black-fronted dotterels are typically sedentary, with a single bird, a pair, or a family group occupying a stretch of habitat on a more or less permanent basis. However, some individuals appear to travel considerable distances, and flocks will sometimes congregate in food-rich areas.

Behaviour and ecology edit

Food and feeding edit

Their diet consists of crustaceans, insects and seeds. They forage in a series of short running motions, holding the body horizontal, stopping to peck from time to time with a rapid bobbing motion.

Breeding edit

The black-fronted dotterel breeds between August and February, although is known to breed anytime conditions are right e.g. after suitable rains in Northern Australia. During courtship, both species will call and participate in aerial displays.

The nest is a small depression that can consist of twigs, shells and pebbles. The eggs are a greyish-yellow colour with brown and lavender markings. Incubation of the 2-3 eggs is shared between both parents. When one parent is not incubating, they still rest and feed close to the nest. During incubation, if the eggs get too hot the adults will stand over the eggs to shade them from the harsh sun or wet the feathers on their stomach to wet and cool the eggs. The egg gestation period is 4–5 weeks. Twenty-four hours after they hatch the chicks leave the nest to hide in less exposed areas, while at the same time both parents look after them. Both parents will call loudly and feign injury to lure predators away from the nest.

Gallery edit

  •  
    Shortly after hatching
  • Tamborine, SE Queensland, Australia
  •  
    Chiltern, Victoria, Australia
  •  
    Northern Territory, Australia
  •  
    Atherton Tableland, Queensland, Australia

References edit

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Elseyornis melanops". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22693943A93431096. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22693943A93431096.en.
  2. ^ Vieillot, Louis Pierre (1818). Nouveau dictionnaire d'histoire naturelle, appliquée aux arts, à l'agriculture, à l'économie rurale et domestique, à la médecine, etc (in French). Vol. 27 (Nouvelle édition ed.). Paris: Deterville. p. 139.
  3. ^ Peters, James Lee, ed. (1934). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 2. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 255.
  4. ^ Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p. 247. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  5. ^ Černý, David; Natale, Rossy (2022). "Comprehensive taxon sampling and vetted fossils help clarify the time tree of shorebirds (Aves, Charadriiformes)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 177: 107620. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107620.
  6. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (December 2023). "Buttonquail, thick-knees, sheathbills, plovers, oystercatchers, stilts, painted-snipes, jacanas, Plains-wanderer, seedsnipes". IOC World Bird List Version 14.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  7. ^ Marchant & Higgins 1993, p. 892.
  8. ^ Marchant & Higgins 1993, pp. 892–893.

Sources edit

  • Marchant, S.; Higgins, P.J., eds. (1993). "Elseyornis melanops Black-fronted plover" (PDF). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds. Vol. 2, Raptors to lapwings. Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press. pp. 892–902. ISBN 978-0-19-553069-8.
  • "Black-fronted dotterel | New Zealand Birds Online".
  • Geering, A., Agnew, L. and Harding, S. 2007. Shorebirds of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. 9780643101340
  • Menkhorst, P., Rogers, D., Clarke, R., Davies, J. and Marsack P. 2019. The Australian bird guide. Australia, CSIRO. 9781486311934
  • Pizzey, G and Knight, F. 2012. Birds of Australia. Australia. HarperCollins Publishers. 9780732291938
  • Reader's Digest. 1976. Reader's Digest completebook of Australian Birds. Sydney, Reader's Digest. 0909486409
  • Rowland, P and Farrell, C. 2018. Australia's birdwatching megaspots. John Beaufoy Publishing p. 229. 9781912081660

External links edit

  •   Media related to Elseyornis melanops at Wikimedia Commons
  •   Data related to Elseyornis melanops at Wikispecies

January 01, 1970
black, fronted, dotterel, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, october, 2023, learn, when, remove, this, message, b. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations October 2023 Learn how and when to remove this message The black fronted dotterel Charadrius melanops is a small plover in the family Charadriidae that is found throughout much of Australia and New Zealand Black fronted dotterel Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Aves Order Charadriiformes Family Charadriidae Genus Charadrius Species C melanops Binomial name Charadrius melanopsVieillot 1818 Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Behaviour and ecology 4 1 Food and feeding 4 2 Breeding 5 Gallery 6 References 7 Sources 8 External linksTaxonomy editThe black fronted dotterel was formally described in 1818 by the French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot under the binomial name Charadrius melanops 2 The type locality was subsequently designated as New South Wales 3 The specific epithet combines the Ancient Greek melops meaning black with ōps meaning face 4 This species was previously placed in the monotypic genus Elseyornis but a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2022 found that it was embedded in a clade containing members of the genus Charadrius 5 The black fronted dotterel was therefore moved back to Charadrius The species is monotypic no subspecies are recognised 6 Description editAs an adult this small shorebird has an overall length of 16 18 cm 6 3 7 1 in a wingspan of 33 35 cm 13 14 in and a weight of 30 35 g 1 1 1 2 oz The sexes are similar in appearance 7 It has a distinct black face mask forehead and v shaped band across the chest Dorsally it is a mottled brown colour with the wings and crown of the head the same colour This colouration is particularly useful for camouflage against aerial predators Orbital eye rings and the first section of the bill are red with the latter being black at the tip The legs are pale orange Unlike many other wading birds black fronted dotterels retain the same plumage all year round Juveniles are duller in colour with a greyish beak and lacking the black breast band and forehead 8 Distribution and habitat editThe black fronted dotterel is widespread throughout Australia including in Tasmania and self introduced in New Zealand where it is now also common It inhabits the edges of freshwater sources including wetlands lakes swamps dams and billabongs and in shallow temporary claypan pools Occasionally it can also be found occupying saline mudflats and estuaries It will avoid water more than a few mm deep and heavy vegetation Black fronted dotterels are typically sedentary with a single bird a pair or a family group occupying a stretch of habitat on a more or less permanent basis However some individuals appear to travel considerable distances and flocks will sometimes congregate in food rich areas Behaviour and ecology editFood and feeding edit Their diet consists of crustaceans insects and seeds They forage in a series of short running motions holding the body horizontal stopping to peck from time to time with a rapid bobbing motion Breeding edit The black fronted dotterel breeds between August and February although is known to breed anytime conditions are right e g after suitable rains in Northern Australia During courtship both species will call and participate in aerial displays The nest is a small depression that can consist of twigs shells and pebbles The eggs are a greyish yellow colour with brown and lavender markings Incubation of the 2 3 eggs is shared between both parents When one parent is not incubating they still rest and feed close to the nest During incubation if the eggs get too hot the adults will stand over the eggs to shade them from the harsh sun or wet the feathers on their stomach to wet and cool the eggs The egg gestation period is 4 5 weeks Twenty four hours after they hatch the chicks leave the nest to hide in less exposed areas while at the same time both parents look after them Both parents will call loudly and feign injury to lure predators away from the nest Gallery edit nbsp Shortly after hatching source source source source Tamborine SE Queensland Australia nbsp Chiltern Victoria Australia nbsp Northern Territory Australia nbsp Atherton Tableland Queensland AustraliaReferences edit BirdLife International 2016 Elseyornis melanops IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T22693943A93431096 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T22693943A93431096 en Vieillot Louis Pierre 1818 Nouveau dictionnaire d histoire naturelle appliquee aux arts a l agriculture a l economie rurale et domestique a la medecine etc in French Vol 27 Nouvelle edition ed Paris Deterville p 139 Peters James Lee ed 1934 Check List of Birds of the World Vol 2 Cambridge Massachusetts Harvard University Press p 255 Jobling James A 2010 The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names London Christopher Helm p 247 ISBN 978 1 4081 2501 4 Cerny David Natale Rossy 2022 Comprehensive taxon sampling and vetted fossils help clarify the time tree of shorebirds Aves Charadriiformes Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 177 107620 doi 10 1016 j ympev 2022 107620 Gill Frank Donsker David Rasmussen Pamela eds December 2023 Buttonquail thick knees sheathbills plovers oystercatchers stilts painted snipes jacanas Plains wanderer seedsnipes IOC World Bird List Version 14 1 International Ornithologists Union Retrieved 30 December 2023 Marchant amp Higgins 1993 p 892 Marchant amp Higgins 1993 pp 892 893 Sources editMarchant S Higgins P J eds 1993 Elseyornis melanops Black fronted plover PDF Handbook of Australian New Zealand amp Antarctic Birds Vol 2 Raptors to lapwings Melbourne Victoria Oxford University Press pp 892 902 ISBN 978 0 19 553069 8 Black fronted dotterel New Zealand Birds Online Geering A Agnew L and Harding S 2007 Shorebirds of Australia CSIRO Publishing 9780643101340 Menkhorst P Rogers D Clarke R Davies J and Marsack P 2019 The Australian bird guide Australia CSIRO 9781486311934 Pizzey G and Knight F 2012 Birds of Australia Australia HarperCollins Publishers 9780732291938 Reader s Digest 1976 Reader s Digest completebook of Australian Birds Sydney Reader s Digest 0909486409 Rowland P and Farrell C 2018 Australia s birdwatching megaspots John Beaufoy Publishing p 229 9781912081660External links edit nbsp Media related to Elseyornis melanops at Wikimedia Commons nbsp Data related to Elseyornis melanops at Wikispecies Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Black fronted dotterel amp oldid 1192987126, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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