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Chunky, medium-sized shorebird with short, stout bill.
Vulnerable
Indigenous: Didar Djerap
At a glance
FamilyPlovers and Lapwings
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatMudflats, saltmarsh, estuaries, beaches, lagoons, and shallow inland wetlands.
Best timeMost reliable in Northern Territory from September to October.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Roger Briesewitz
Range map
Range map
800visible hotspots
10707visible records
5states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
In breeding season, shows striking black face and belly with bold black-and-white checkering on upperparts; note clean white undertail. In nonbreeding season, more uniformly drab gray with whitish belly. Juveniles are crisp and neatly spangled above, often with a soft golden hue. Often confused with golden-plovers. In all seasons, note Black-bellied's stockier shape, thicker bill, and diagnostic black “armpits” in flight. Often in flocks. Common and widespread across the globe, especially on coastlines; less common inland. Breeds on Arctic tundra.
Behavior
Chunky, medium-sized shorebird with short, stout bill. Feeds on beaches and mudflats by walking or running, stopping, and pecking at the surface.
Gallery