The largest number nest on the braided riverbeds of Marlborough , Canterbury , Otago and Southland in the South Island.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyPlovers and Lapwings
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatNorthern populations of banded dotterel commonly inhabit sandy beaches and sandpits, as well as a few pairs accustoming to shell banks in harbours, with a few found on gravel beaches, with nesting sites generally clustered around stream-mouths.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from March to May.
Range map
Range map
798visible hotspots
21956visible records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
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
Behavior
Much of the population migrates to overwinter along coastal areas in Australia, but also ventures into freshwater wetlands and grasslands.
Gallery
Regional timing
Victoria
New South Wales
Queensland
Tasmania
South Australia
Western Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory
Commonly confused with
Hooded PloverThinornis cucullatusSmall sturdy plover with pink legs and red eyering. Adult has black hood that extends down onto the chin. In western Australia it is also found on saline lakes.→Banded LapwingVanellus tricolorSmaller and shorter-legged than Masked Lapwing. Not generally an urban bird, it is more common inland.→Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulvaCompare this bird carefully in the field→