White-fronted Plover
Charadrius marginatus
Coastal and river shores. Sandy-brown above; male with darker forecrown; white below and on forehead.
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. The sand-coloured race (a), occurring in the Western Cape and on the east coast, differs from the less common [Lesser Sand Plover] in much smaller size, dark line on lores, more slender bill and white collar. Immature resembles female. The west coast race (b) is greyer, with less yellow on the breast. Utters a soft ‘wit’ or ‘twirit’ in flight. Occurs singly or in pairs on sandy seashores; also on some inland lakes and large rivers with sandbanks, e.g. the Zambezi, Limpopo and Olifants. At the coast it feeds on wet sand close to receding waves, running rapidly or flying away low as the next wave advances.
Quick Facts
Size
18 cm - S
Names
A: Vaalstrandkiewiet
Z: umathantatha
Ss: Mororwane Wo Mosehla
Bird Family
Terrestrial and waterside birds. Large plovers are long-legged and stand erect; small plovers and most shorebirds hold their bodies horizontally, postures hunched.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
The sand-coloured race (a), occurring in the Western Cape and on the east coast, differs from the less common [Lesser Sand Plover] in much smaller size, dark line on lores, more slender bill and white collar. Occurs singly or in pairs on sandy seashores; also on some inland lakes and large rivers with sandbanks, e.g. At the coast it feeds on wet sand close to receding waves, running rapidly or flying away low as the next wave advances.
