THE world’s oldest masked plover may be living in our midst with a 20-year-old bird discovered at Lake McIntyre.
The Masked Lapwing was spotted by avid birdwatchers Sheila Boyle and Rosey Pounsett, which according to the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme it is the oldest in Australia and potentially the world.
The bird is believed to be from a flock of four adults and two chicks that was banded on November 8 1998 by Adrian Boyle.
The mystery of when and where this bird was tagged was solved when Ms Pounsett and Ms Boyle tracked the bird down and managed to get close to take a photograph of its band.
“We do not know how much longer this bird will live for, but we look forward to keeping track of it, hopefully over many more years,” Ms Boyle said.
According to Ms Boyle, Masked Lapwings are a common species in the South East of Australia, with Lake McIntyre the site of several resident pairs of the species.
She said the adults pair for life and are well known for nest in the open.
“Masked Lapwings have a strategy of defending their eggs and chicks by diving and swooping at potential predators, which include birds of prey, dogs, foxes and humans,” she said.
“Nesting in the open gives them plenty of warning of approaching danger and the ability to swoop without obstacles.
“The birds lay four large eggs that take around 28 days to hatch and within a few hours after hatching the chicks start feeding themselves on insects.
“The parents protect them from predators and keep them warm whilst their feathers are growing.”
