From Opus

Alternative name: Australian Dotterel

Peltohyas australis

Image by jrsubs
Willandra, mid-west NSW, Australia

[edit] Identification

Upperparts generally buff mottled with dark brown. Face pale but marked by vertical black band crossing eye and fore-crown. Underparts generally buff and white, marked with distinctive black Y on breast, forming collar on hind-neck, and joined to black band on belly separating white lower belly from rich buff lower breast and flanks. Measurements: length 19-23 cm; wingspan 43-47 cm; weight 80 g.

[edit] Distribution

Arid interior of southern Australia.

[edit] Taxonomy

A monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Open, arid country.

[edit] Behaviour

Diet includes seeds and invertebrates.

It nest on bare ground in shallow depression; clutch of 3 brown eggs, marked with irregular black spots; incubation period c.28 days; young precocial and nidifugous.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID