Kittlitzs plover

Introduction: Kittlitz's plover (Charadrius pecuarius) can be found close to water, usually in open, dry mud and short grass. Natural pans, salt-marshes, floodplains and estuaries are also favoured. They roost communally at night in hollows such as hoof-prints.
Distribution: Common in Etosha National Park, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, central Namibia.

Diet: Stands with 1 foot vibrating on the surface, which attracts prey to the surface and then feeds on small beetles, crickets, spiders, worms and crabs. Pecuarius is Latin for 'a grazer' which is a reference to their grassland habitat.

Description: Characteristic greenish-black legs and pale nuchal collar distinguishes it from all other Charadrius species except white-fronted and Kentish plovers.

Breeding: Between 1 and 3 eggs are laid year-round in a simple scrape in sand or dried mud and lined with pebbles, mud, grass and animal dung. Incubation periods are around 26 days.

Size: 14cm.

Weight: 40g.