Thinornis rubricollis
For over 20 years concern has been expressed about the status of the Hooded Plover, a medium sized wading bird endemic to southern Australia.
Hooded Plovers live on sandy surf beaches, and prefer beaches backed by dunes rather than by cliffs. The species is non-migratory, although recent colour-band sightings have shown that birds will move several hundred kilometres.
In one well-studied population in Victoria, the breeding success was so low that it seems likely that populations will continue to decline. The current population estimate suggests there are about 5000-7000 Hooded Plovers in total.
Although the species has just been removed from the federal Environment Biodiversity and Protection Act, there are several reasons to believe that the species has a place on the list. These include population declines, and a postgraduate study that has found low breeding success.
There are also indications that the species consists of an eastern and western subspecies. Indeed, Hooded Plovers are considered Critically Endangered in NSW where it is now confined to the southern part of the state.
Many of the threats faced by Hooded Plovers involve humans, who accidentally crush nests and chicks, disturb the birds when breeding, and allow their dogs to chase and sometimes kill Hooded Plover chicks and eggs. Everybody who visits beaches in southern Australia can help this species by obeying regulations and staying away from Hooded Plovers when possible.
According to the Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000, the eastern subspecies of the Hooded Plover is vulnerable, while the western subspecies is near threatened.
|
|
|
|
Conservation 
