Anarhynchus falklandicus
The Two-banded Plover (*Anarhynchus falklandicus*) is a charming and distinctive shorebird, readily identified by its namesake dual dark breast bands against a pristine white underbelly. Measuring approximately 17-19 cm (6.7-7.5 in) in length with a wingspan of 33-38 cm (13-15 in) and weighing around 45-70 grams (1.6-2.5 oz), it exhibits a compact, robust build typical of plovers. Its upperparts are a sandy brown, providing excellent camouflage against its coastal and steppe habitats, while a...
Primarily found on coastal plains, sandy beaches, mudflats, and saltmarsh edges, often near saline lagoons or freshwater pools at low elevations.
Feeds primarily on marine invertebrates such as small crustaceans, insects (especially flies and beetles), and their larvae, as well as marine worms, typically obtained by probing and picking from wet sand or mud.
Two-banded Plovers are mostly diurnal, though they may feed nocturnally under moonlight, and typically roost in small, loose groups on open ground. Their foraging strategy is a classic plover 'stop-run-peck,' where they scan for prey, make a short dash, and then quickly probe the substrate. Durin...
The Two-banded Plover exhibits a restricted but stable distribution across the southern cone of South America and the Falkland Islands. Its primary breeding grounds span the southern parts of Chile and Argentina, including Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, as well as the entire Falkland Islands arc...
Least Concern
- The scientific name *falklandicus* directly refers to the Falkland Islands, where a significant breeding population resides. - Unlike many plovers, its bill is slightly decurved, a subtle adaptation for probing in specific substrates. - The Two-banded Plover is one of the few shorebirds that br...