Family Plovers (Charadriidae)
Vulnerable
Black-banded Plover (Charadrius thoracicus)
Taxonomy
French: Pluvier à bandeau noir German: Madagaskarregenpfeifer Spanish: Chorlitejo torácico
Other common names:
Madagascar Plover,
Black-banded Sandplover
Taxonomy:
Ægialitis thoracica
Richmond
, 1896,Loholoka, east coast of Madagascar
.Distribution:
W & S coasts of Madagascar, between Boanamary “Mahajanga” in NW, and Tapera “Tolagnaro” in SE; occasionally reported from E coast.
Descriptive notes
13–14 cm; male 32–42 g, female 31–43·5 g. Yellowish-orange underparts, darkest on central belly; black breastband (which is contiguous with hindneck... read more
Voice
Most frequently given call is medium-high “pit” or “prip” repeated every 2... read more
Habitat
Coastal grazed grasslands, often very dry; also edges of shallow brackish marshes and ponds,... read more
Food and feeding
Very poorly known, but habits apparently rather similar to C. pecuarius. Takes large and small insects, but might reasonably be... read more
Breeding
Probably rather similar to C. pecuarius. Until recently, nesting was thought to probably occur mainly Nov–Jan, with eggs... read more
Movements
Sedentary. Almost all records from SW coast between Morondava and Androka; species originally... read more
Status and conservation
VULNERABLE. Declining, at least locally (e.g. at Baly Bay), with estimated population of 1800–2300 mature individuals, or 3100 birds in total, remaining within overall... read more
Probably most closely related to C. pecuarius and C. sanctaehelenae. Monotypic.