9

Black-fronted Dotterel

(Charadrius [Elseyornis] melanops)
Alternative names: "Sandpiper"
Size: 16-18 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Black-fronted Dotterels are most common in the south-east of the Australian continent, i.e. VIC, NSW and south-eastern QLD. But they are found almost anywhere in the eastern half of the continent, except south-western Tasmania and the tip of Cape York, around the tropical north of the NT (except Arnhemland) and the north-west coast of WA and in the western half of WA. The only area where they are not found is the most arid part of the continent, from about the Nullarbor to south of the Kimberleys.

Black-fronted Dotterels are usually found around the edges of freshwater lakes (including ephemeral lakes) and also farm dams.

Sightings

Black-fronted Dotterels frequently came to our former neighbour's billabong, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, in the years 2004-2006 (until the billabong dried up).

They usually run around the water's edge searching for food. They are quite hard to approach, because always out in open terrain.

Also seen on a dam 10 km east of Narrabri in August 2007 and around Narrabri Lake in the years 2007 until present.

Photos

Frontal view of a Black-fronted Dotterel

The same bird as above, preening; this renders the brown plumage on the wing visible

Here a near-frontal view

Lateral view of a Black-fronted Dotterel, with the typical "V"-shaped band giving it its name and the characteristic red eyering and red bill with black tip

View of the back of a Black-fronted Dotterel

Here a bird seen from straight behind

Black-fronted Dotterel resting in mud

Pair of Black-fronted Dotterels at Narrabri Lake

Lateral view of an immature bird

Immature Black-fronted Dotterel in a mud puddle

Habits

At the end of winter (early September 2011) we have observed a small number (seven) Black-fronted Dotterels gathering on the shore of Narrabri Lake for a bit of a competition. The males tried to impress the females by jutting out their Black-fronted chests. The females either responded by or invoked this behaviour with a lively twitter that could be heard from afar.

Apart from the male display behaviour, this photo (albeit somewhat unsharp) also shows the wing pattern of a bird in flight