Bird guideGreater Sand-Plover

Bill largest in the species; summer plumage with a moderate orange breast band.

⚠️Vulnerable
🍃Indigenous: Didar Djerap

At a glance

FamilyPlovers and Lapwings
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
Habitatsparse woodland, waterbodies, closed forest, woody trees scattered, and open woodland
Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.

Range map

Range map

200approx hotspots
18513approx 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

Overview

Breeding adults have a dark mask and orangish chest, neck, and forehead; females duller than males. Non-breeding birds and immatures are sandy brown above and white below, with a white throat and “eyebrows.” Often confused with Lesser Sand-Plover, and best distinguished when both present; look for larger size, heavier and longer bill, paler legs, and larger-headed appearance. Additionally, unlike some Lesser Sand-Plovers, Greater never has a black boundary around the throat. Winters on coastal mudflats and estuaries.

Behavior

Breeds in high-elevation areas, where it favors arid, open habitats, sometimes near water.

Regional timing

South Australia
Peak: December to February296 records
New South Wales
Peak: December to March1,726 records
Queensland
Peak: September to March9,259 records
Western Australia
Peak: September to November1,502 records
Northern Territory
Peak: September to October5,322 records
Victoria
Peak: February205 records
Tasmania
Peak: January60 records
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