Black fronted Dotterel
Herberton area, October 2026.
These birds are a small plover and the sexes are similar in appearance. The have a black face mask and v-shaped breast band extending around the nape.
Mt Garnet, 2020.
The bill is bright red with a black tip. The eye ring is also bright red with a white eyebrow that extends across the nape. Their crown grey-brown that is pale streaked.
Herberton area, October 2026.
The chin, throat and under parts are all white. Their legs are short and dull pink. Immature birds are similar but paler with a dull pink eye ring in a pale grey band.
Herberton area, October 2026.
Their wings have a chestnut shoulder patch , black flight feathers and pale coverts.
Herberton area, October 2026.
They feed by running and pecking crustaceans, aquatic insects and seeds. They rarely wade and usually feed alone or in pairs. They live in dry riverbeds, edges of lagoons, swamps and dams.
They usually breed between August and January but also after inland rain. The nest is a scrape in the ground or amongst pebbles usually laying 2-3 eggs.