Inland Dotterel

Appearance

Unmistakable. Upperparts generally buff mottled with dark brown. Face pale but marked by vertical black band crossing eye and fore-crown. Underparts generally buff and white, marked with distinctice black Y on breast, forming collar on hind-neck, and joined to black band on belly separating white lower belly from rich buff lower breast and flanks. Measurements: length 19–23 cm; wingspan 43–47 cm; weight 80 g.

Distribution

Endemic to southern and central arid zone of mainland Australia.

Status

With a large range and no evidence of significant population decline, this species’ conservation status is of Least Concern.

Habitat

Open, arid country; distribution bounded by 100 mm summer isohyet.

Reproduction

Nests on bare ground in shallow depression; clutch of 3 brown eggs, marked with irregular black spots; incubation period c.28 days; young precocial and nidifugous.

Food

Seeds and invertebrates.