Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

A small masked dumpy looking bird is a good description of the ringed plover. However, just like the lapwing, it is a master at distracting enemies away from its simple nest by pretending to be an easy prey. Ringed plovers may be small but they are also bold and venturous. They dribble back and forth over the bare sandy ground, pulling worms and larvae out of the ground. They like to nest on sandy bottoms covered with shells or pebbles. You'll even find them on the pebbly roofs of apartment buildings. Their nest is not much more than a hollow in the sand, in which their four perfectly camouflaged eggs are laid.

Rights Holder: Copyright Ecomare