Above: The Plover (or Masked Lapwing) hunts by disturbing insects with its feet and then catching the fleeing insects.
Above: This plover is wading through a puddle of water for drowning insects.
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The Masked Lapwing or Plover is a water bird. It has mask-like facial wattles and a spur on each wing. The spur on the wing is used to attack intruders that come too close to its chicks. Both parents will share responsibilities in hatching and rearing their young and will protect their nests aggressively.
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Left: A Plover sitting on its nest.
Right: A Plover grazing for insects.
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These birds live in grasslands, parks and mud-flats, and can be found throughout the Blue Mountains. They spend most of their time on the ground. They use excellent technique to catch insects in the grass by tapping one foot at a time directly in front of them, whilst walking, to disturb the insects.
The sound of the plover can often be heard at night time whilst in flight.
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