Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles

Masked Lapwing
Spur-winged Plover
The Masked Lapwing is native to Australia. The northern race (V. m. miles) above left has no black neck stripe; the southern race (V. m. novaehollandiae) right has a more extensive black cap and a plover-like black neck bar (bird previously known as Masked Plover and still known locally as Spur-winged Plover, the name of a similar African/Middle Eastern species (Vanellus spinosus)).
Masked Lapwing
Masked Plover group
Birds pair off in the nesting season and tend to flock together at other times.
Masked Lapwing
Masked Lapwing
Masked Lapwings
They have a spur on each wing for defending territory from other Lapwings, predatory birds and other animals.
Masked Lapwing
Masked Lapwings
Masked Lapwing pair
Male and female have similar plumage and wattles.