Ringed Plover
Scientific Name: Charadrius hiaticulaMaltese Name: Monakella Prima
Family: Plovers and lapwings (Charadriidae)
Occurence: Regular
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Ringed Plover is a small plover. Adults have a black mask around the eyes and a short orange and black bill. The legs are orange Juvenile Ringed Plovers are duller than the adults in colour. This species differs from the smaller and commoner Little Ringed Plover in leg colour, the head pattern, and the lack of an obvious yellow eye-ring. The Ringed Plover's breeding habitat is open ground on beaches or flats across northern Eurasia and in Arctic northeast Canada. Ringed Plovers are migratory and winter in coastal areas south to Africa. They eat insects, crustaceans and worms.
Status:
Regular spring and autumn migrant.
When to See:
Mid-march till mid-June and mid July till November.
Where to See:
Best place to see is Ghadira Nature Reserve. Other good places are Salina and other coastal areas.
Photographs:
 |
Ringed Plover, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
 |
Ringed Plover, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
Back to Bird Species List