Forbes's plover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forbes's plover |
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The Forbes's plover (Charadrius forbesi) is a small wader bird. It is also known as the Forbes's banded plover. This plover lives in many parts of west Africa. You can often find it near inland rivers, pools, and lakes.
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What Does It Look Like?
The adult Forbes's plover is about 20 cm (8 inches) long. It has long wings and a long tail. This makes it look different from most other small plovers when it flies. The only similar bird is the three-banded plover. That bird lives in eastern and southern Africa and Madagascar.
Colors and Patterns
When breeding, the Forbes's plover has dark brown feathers on its back and wings. Its belly is white. It has two black bands across its chest. A white band separates these two black bands. This gives the bird its common name.
Its head has a striking pattern. It has a black cap on top and a brown forehead. White stripes, called supercilia, go from above its eyes and meet at the back of its neck. Its face is grey. The skin around its eye is red. The bottom part of its otherwise black bill is also red. Male and female Forbes's plovers look very similar.
Young and Non-breeding Birds
When Forbes's plovers are not breeding, their chest bands might be dark brown instead of black. The white stripes above their eyes might look a bit buff-colored. Young birds look like non-breeding adults but are not as brightly colored.
How It's Different from Other Plovers
The Forbes's plover is larger and darker than the three-banded plover. The three-banded plover also has a white forehead. It also has a white stripe on its wing that the Forbes's plover does not have.
Where Does It Live?
This plover lives mainly on inland rivers, pools, and lakes in west Africa. After breeding during the wet season, it moves to open grasslands. You might see it on airfields or golf courses during the dry season. Sometimes, it is also seen near pools or reservoirs.
What Does It Eat?
Forbes's plovers usually hunt alone. Sometimes, they form small groups. They use their excellent eyesight to find food. They eat invertebrates like insects and worms.
Interesting Facts
- The Forbes's plover makes a piping sound. Its call sounds like peee-oo.
- Its nest is a simple scrape on the ground. It lines the nest with small pebbles. They usually nest in rocky, higher areas.
- This bird was named after a British zoologist named William Alexander Forbes. He was a scientist who studied animals.
