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Black-fronted DotterelAlternative names: "Black-fronted Plover", "Sandpiper*" (misnomer) Size: 16-18 cm Weight: 32 g (average) |
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Similar species |
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SUBSECTIONS:
Classification
Distribution
Sightings
Photos
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
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Taxonomy, classification |
See Black-fronted
Dotterel
at Wikipedia 
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Click here to display information on habitat,
range and finding this species
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Sightings |
Black-fronted Dotterels frequently came to a semi-permanent waterhole 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, in the years 2004-2006 (until the waterhole eventually dried up towards the end of the 2000-2010 drought).
Click here to display more sighting
information
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Photos |
Frontal 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 clearly visible
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2012]
Frontal view of a Black-fronted Dotterel, different posture
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2013]
Near-frontal view of a Black-fronted Dotterel
[20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, April 2006]
Lateral view of a Black-fronted Dotterel
[20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, April 2006]
Lateral view of a Black-fronted Dotterel in different light conditions
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2012]
Lateral view of a Black-fronted Dotterel on the prowl
[Goran Lake, NSW, June 2012]
Near-dorsal view of a Black-fronted Dotterel
[20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, January 2006]
Here a Black-fronted Dotterel seen from straight behind
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2012]
Black-fronted Dotterel resting in mud
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2009]
Black-fronted Dotterell preening; this renders the brown plumage
on the wing visible
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2009]
Pair of Black-fronted Dotterels
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, May 2009]
Lateral view of a Black-fronted Dotterel in flight
[Near Walgett, NSW, June 2012]
Black-fronted Dotterels taking off from a permanent waterhole
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Whittaker's Lagoon, NSW, June 2012]
Black-fronted Dotterels low in flight (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Whittaker's Lagoon, NSW, June 2012]
Lateral view of an immature Black-fronted Dotterel
[20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, April 2006]
Immature Black-fronted Dotterel in a mud puddle
[20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, April 2006]
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Behaviour |
Black-fronted Dotterels usually run around the water's edge searching for food. They are quite hard to approach, because always out in open terrain.
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 to, or invoked, this behaviour with a lively twitter that could be heard from afar. At roughly the same time we heard reports of up to 65 Black-fronted Dotterels spotted together.
Apart from the male display behaviour, this photo (albeit
somewhat unsharp) also shows both the upperwing and underwing
patterns of Black-fronted Dotterels
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2011]
Black-fronted Dotterel on a riverine mudflat
[Manilla, NSW, May 2013]
