Plovers (Charadriidae)

Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) - HBW 3, p. 418

French: Vanneau soldat German: Maskenkiebitz Spanish: Avefría Militar
Other common names: Masked Plover, Spur-winged Plover/Lapwing

Taxonomy: Tringa miles Boddaert, 1783, Louisiana; error = Australia.
Sometimes placed in Hoplopterus, Lobivanellus or monospecific Lobibyx. Race novaehollandiae on occasion considered distinct species, but intergrades with nominate form in at least two areas of overlap, in N Queensland and in L Eyre catchment area. Birds of N Australia formerly awarded separate race, personatus. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • miles (Boddaert, 1783) - NE & S New Guinea and Aru Is to N Australia; probably non-breeding visitor to SE Wallacea.
  • novaehollandiae (Stephens, 1819) - E & SE Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.

  • Least Concern