Field identification of Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus

摘要

Javan Plover Charadrius javanicus is a poorly known Charadrius plover from the Oriental region, which has been recorded from Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Detailed accounts of the identification of Javan Plover are relatively few. At around 15 cm in length, it is about the same size as Kentish Plover C alexandrinus and also has similar plumage. Here we describe several field observable characteristics which can be used to help identify Javan Plover, and distinguish it from Kentish Plover. We have divided these characters into three categories of relative value: important, supportive and inconclusive. Important characters are an incomplete hindneck collar, lone lateral breast patches, paler leg colour and longer tibia length; supportive characters are blunt and thick- based bill shape, oval head pattern and call; and inconclusive characters are tarsus/bill length ratio (although this character may be of use on birds in the hand or photographs) and length of feet beyond tail (in flight). It is hoped that these characters will help observers to better identify Javan Plovers in the field.