The Oriental snowy plover is a migratory bird with solitary habits that commonly visits Taiwan during the winter, when it can be seen racing across the mud and sands at ocean's edge in pursuit of tiny crabs or other small prey scurrying back to their holes. It has strong defensive instincts and often chases away birds of other species that invade its territory.
In recent years bird lovers have discovered that an extremely small number of the birds remain on Taiwan from May to July each year to breed and reproduce. Their nests are located mostly in dry sand in tidal areas at the mouths of rivers and streams. There, in the burning-hot sand, the parent birds toil to bring up the next generation.
Because the Oriental snowy plover has always been considered a migratory bird, this new discovery holds considerable significance for ornithologists. Why the birds stay behind to reproduce is still unclear and awaits further investigation.
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Building a Nest in the Sand
A stretch of sand strewn with litter and miscellaneous objects is the plover's preferred nesting place.
The Nest
This nest contains three eggs, each buried about two thirds of the way in the sand. The shells are sandy in color, and the twigs, pebbles, and bits of plastic that the parent birds have placed around the nest create excellent camouflage.
Hatching the Eggs
Under the scorching noontime sun, the mother and father birds take turns brooding on the eggs, changing shifts every seventeen to twenty minutes and first moistening their under feathers to lower the temperature of the eggs. The other bird stands guard nearby.
Playing Hurt
When a person approaches the nest, the parent bird utters sharp cries and imitates an injury to distract the intruder's line of sight and protect the nest.
The Babies
After four weeks the chicks break open their shells and emerge, sporting a big pair of splayed feet. In a couple of hours their downy feathers will have dried, and they will already be able to walk and search for food.
This nest contains three eggs, each buried about two thirds of the way in the sand. The shells are sandy in color, and the twigs, pebbles, and bits of plastic that the parent birds have placed around the nest create excellent camouflage.
Building a Nest in the Sand.
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