This bird is a Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles). It's a common and highly visible bird, seeming to enjoy taking up residence on the grassy patches in the middle of roundabouts and sports ovals. It is a shade under 40 cm long - but packs a good deal more aggression that than its size would suggest possible.
I had hoped to be able to capture the sharp bony spurs that stick out from the "shoulders" of the wings - but this bird is too relaxed to show them. These spurs are used to attack predators - including dogs and humans! They also give the bird its "old" common name of Spur-Winged Plover.
Incidentally, these pictures were taken with my camera snuggled down into a pillow that was bent over the door of my car. Its a great way to support a long lens.
Now its your turn.
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handsome bird! odd and handsome at the same time. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of supporting a long lens on a pillow!
ReplyDeleteThis bird sounds ferocious. :)
that´s a really cool looking lapwing. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting. :)
Fab looking bird and I love the idea of the lens pillow!
ReplyDeleteLove its markings... Great photos :) Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteWow! Great photos of a super bird. It's amazing that such a gentle-looking bird can have such weaponry!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting WBW Stewart
I like that yellow face.
ReplyDeleteWell captured Stewart!
Computer and Internet problems are always frustrating. Hope things get better for you.
Great serie of photos. We did see this bird when we visited Australia in 2008. I think we saw a lot in Darwin..?
ReplyDeleteCool bird, Stewart. I seem to like all the Lapwings. Is the yellow part of the face the mask? Great capture, thanks for hosting. Have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteSpotty internet must really be annoying. Glad you are able to post and host the meme, though! Unusual looking bird and very striking with that bright yellow beak. Beautiful shots. Your idea of the pillow is a great tip! Thanks for that and for hosting WBW. :)
ReplyDeleteGood looking bird -- and I guess its a good thing that he was so relaxed you couldn't get the sharp pointy things.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great idea for a travel tripod.
so traditional the stance when faced with a human wanting to take a photograph. The pillow idea was a good one; it is very convenient to be able to take photos from your car sometimes. I read somewhere, a little bean-bag is a good thing to pack for something to prop your camera when out and about ...I still haven't thought to do that
ReplyDeleteThose birds look beautiful but act horribly! I do not like being dive-bombed when I am walking by and minding my own business!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting bird. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteHope the internet issues improve for you soon. That is frustrating.
If you didn't have such great pictures I would swear you were making these birds up. Every week you come up with something I haven't heard of ... guess it must be my ignorance. This is an awesome bird and I love the aggressive part of his personality. It is good for them to have a way of protecting themselves as often the odds are against them. Now I am going to my bird book and look up lapwing ... and then I am going to take a pillow and put it in the car for future picture taking. I have a hard time supporting a heavy lens and this just might do the trick. Thanks for another learning experience, Stewart. You are always a pleasure to visit.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
I enjoyed your photos of the Masked Lapwing Stewart. I've never seen one before. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart...Love that mask it almost doesn't look real!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the wing spurs, and I think I'd prefer to know it by the Spur-Wing Plover name then I could be prepared !! ; )
Hope your internet access get's it's act together : )
Grace
He has such a unique look! Great captures! Love his mask :)
ReplyDeleteHis beak looks like a mask! Thanks for hosting Stewart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat find, Stewart. Sorry to hear you are still having internet issues.
ReplyDeleteLovely set of images! Yes, pillow support is a great way to support the longer lenses used for bird photography!
ReplyDeleteThat yellow "mask" is so unique! Very nice shots!
ReplyDeleteI love lapwings but have never seen a masked lapwing. Great photos and post. I'm still trying to link to WBW with my post today. But without success!
ReplyDeleteHe really does look as if he is wearing a yellow rubber mask. :)
ReplyDeleteA very handsome bird indeed. Good shots!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great rest of the week.
He really does look as if he is wearing a yellow rubber mask. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty! I'd love to see that aggressive little bird in action. Sounds like a perfect defense for a little guy or gal :) Great shots, and thanks for hosting! -Tammy
ReplyDeleteVery interesting - may be a common bird but this is new to me. My curiosity got to me, so I searched to see photos of his bony shoulders.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, beautiful markings on this bird. Hope your internet access improves.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time participating in this blog hop. I am going to have fun visiting some new blogs!
ReplyDeleteAwesome looking bird. MB
ReplyDeleteLove learning about birds from around the globe - had never heard of this bird before.
ReplyDeleteSorry to not be posting this WBW - crazy week for work. Hoping to post with you next week. Looking forward to reading everyone else's posts - thanks again for hosting it!
Very preety bird Stewart!Great photos!Hope you have a lovely day!Happy April!!
ReplyDeleteDimi..
Super shots of yet another bird I've never seen!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea using the pillow, but if I tried that, I'd end up taking a nap!
--Wally
Quite a mask! Good for aggressive demeanor.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting WBW!
Stunning bird Stewart.
ReplyDeleteThat bird is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Spur winged had had the name changed until now Stewart. In fact with it being an "exotic" I never realised what the spur was about either. The lapwing family all seem to be noisy birds and aggressive in defence of their young. Our lapwings are known to nest on roundabouts too, until the local authority come along and mow the grass. Enjoyed your pics and thanks for hosting once agin.
ReplyDeleteStewart, the best time to visit the Channel Islands would be in the Spring. On the 20th, we will go to Santa Cruz Island, and there will be more birds to see.
ReplyDeleteSplendid photos of this bird which I never seen before. "Attack predators" = amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit late this week, sorry for your internet problems!
Greetings Pia
What a marvelous looking bird and it surely does look a lot like a Plover. that face is awesome, and wow, spurs...does not sound like too much fun if one is attacked~
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny looking creature, Stewart, with that yellow mask! Great photos!
ReplyDeleteIn your post all the photos are very nice.And this information is very interesting, I really enjoyed, I would like get more information and images. thanks for sharing!
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wow! huge collection of Wild Birds here.these are very nice and rare in every where.thank you for shearing your nice post.
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Here are amazing rare Birds collection.thank you for shearing such a nice and interesting collection wild birds.keep it up.
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waw! it's really great photo shoots of Wild Bird.the bird is looking very nice and natural place made it more beautiful.thank you for shearing us.
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support from a pillow for long lens!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is killer idea...
You should patent it dude!!!
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