15 Plovers Of Vietnam

Plovers of Vietnam – Charadriidae

With 15 species of Plovers of Vietnam, occurring over the country, some species really hard to see Vietnam’s jewels, the striking Northern Lapwing and River Lapwing the more understated, though equally desirable, Pacific Golden-Plover, will without doubt appear near the top of any birders wish list. This family lives in a habitat with water, mud, or coastline.

You may know: Mention Vietnam shorebirds to anyone who has spent time birding in the country or is perhaps planning a birding trip to Vietnam in the future and the names of two particular bird families will surely come up, Plovers & Sandpipers

The overview of Plovers families

The family Charadriidae was introduced (as Charadriadæ) by the English zoologist William Elford Leach in a guide to the contents of the British Museum published in 1820. Most members of the family are known as plovers, lapwings or dotterels. These were rather vague terms which were not applied with any great consistency in the past. In general, larger species have often been called lapwings, smaller species plovers or dotterels and there are in fact two clear taxonomic sub-groups: most lapwings belong to the subfamily Vanellinae, most plovers and dotterels to Charadriinae.

They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings, but most species of lapwing may have more rounded wings. Their bill are usually straight (except for the wrybill) and short, their toes are short, hind toe could be reduced or absent, depending on species. Most Charadriidae also have relatively short tails, with the exception of the killdeer. In most genera, the sexes are similar, very little sexual dimorphism occurs between sexes. They range in size from the collared plover, at 26 grams and 14 cm (5.5 in), to the masked lapwing, at 368 grams (0.811 pounds) and 35 cm (14 in).

Plovers of Vietnam Highlight Note

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Status: Rare pass migrant – Near Threatened

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tour cover: Northern Plains

Hotspot: Xuan Thuy Np.

River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii

Status: Uncommon resident – Near Threatened

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: Exclude North of Central Vietnam

Hotspot: Tram Chim, Yok Don

Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii

Status: Uncommon resident – Near Threatened

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: South Vietnam

Hotspot: Can Gio, Go Cong

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Status: Rare pass migrant

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours:

Hotspot: Can Gio, Go Cong, Batri

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva

Status: Common Migrant

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: Mekong Delta

Hotspot: Tram Chim, Can Gio, Go Cong

Gray-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus

Status: Common Migrant

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: Throughout

Hotspot: Cat Tien, Tram Chim, Tan Phu

Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus

Status: Fairly Common Resident (Throughout)

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tours: Throughout Vietnam

Hotspot: Cat Tien, Nui Dinh, Ma Da.

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii

Status: Common pass migrant

Best time to watch & Photo: Jun-Aug

Tours: Mekong Delta

Hotspot: Go Cong, Can Gio, Binh Dai

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos

Status: Rare pass migrant

Best time to watch & Photo: Feb-Apr

Tour: Red River Delta

Hotspot: Xuan Thuy Np.

List of all Plovers in Vietnam

All Vietnam Birds Families