Magellanic plover
| Magellanic plover | ||||||||||
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Magellanic plover |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the family | ||||||||||
| Pluvianellidae | ||||||||||
| GR Gray , 1846 | ||||||||||
| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||
| Pluvianellus | ||||||||||
| GR Gray, 1846 | ||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||
| Pluvianellus socialis | ||||||||||
| GR Gray, 1846 |
The 20-centimeter Magellanic Plover ( Pluvianellus Socialis ) is the only way out of the monotypic family of Magellanic Plover (Pluvianellidae) within the order of Regenpfeiferartigen (Charadriiformes) and comes only in southern South America before. Molecular genetic studies have shown that the species is closely related to the vaginal beaks.
Appearance
The Magellanic Plover are similar in physique and behavior to the Turnstone . The back plumage and chest are light gray, otherwise the species has white plumage, short red legs, a black beak and red eyes. Young birds have yellowish eyes and legs. The birds utter pigeon-like calls.
distribution
The species occurs in Tierra del Fuego and southern Patagonia . They inhabit the inland waters and fallow water lagoons in summer. To hibernate, they usually move to the coasts of Argentina near smaller bays or estuaries.
Way of life
Magellanic plover feed on small invertebrates , which, like the turnstone, they scratch with their feet on the ground or peck under stones.
Reproduction
During the breeding season, the two alto birds defend an approx. 300–500 meter long strip of shore from other conspecifics. Magellanic plover breed near water and lay two large, gray eggs with dark stripes directly on the ground, but usually only one young bird survives. The young bird does not leave the nest until it is 4 weeks old. After that he will be looked after by both adult birds for about 2 weeks.
Hazards and protective measures
The IUCN classifies this species as Near Threatened (potentially endangered). The reasons for this are the destruction of the habitat by livestock farming, stalking by feral domestic dogs and house cats as well as the pollution of the habitat by sewage and oil spills. To protect the species, feral pets are fought and the entire population is monitored. Furthermore, this species is represented in numerous nature reserves.
literature
- George Robert Gray: A list of the genera of birds: with their synonyma an indication of the typical species of each genus / compiled from various source . tape 3 . R. and JE Taylor, London 1846 ( biodiversitylibrary.org ).
- Christopher M. Perrins : The Great Encyclopedia of Birds. From the English, Orbis-Verlag, Munich 1996, ISBN 3-572-00810-7 , pp. 139, 141.
Web links
- Videos, photos and sound recordings of Pluvianellus socialis in the Internet Bird Collection
- Pluvianellus socialis inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Endangered Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
Individual evidence
- ^ BC Livezey: Phylogenetics of modern shorebirds (Charadriiformes) based on phenotypic evidence: analysis and discussion. In: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. Volume 160, No. 3, 2010, pp. 567-618.