Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles

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)).

Birds pair off in the nesting season and tend to flock together at other times.

They have a spur on each wing for defending territory from other Lapwings, predatory birds and other animals.

Male and female have similar plumage and wattles.