The Madagascar plover, also known as the black-banded plover, is a small monogamous shorebird in the family Charadriidae, native to western Madagascar. It inhabits shores of lagoons, coastal grasslands, and breeds in salt marshes. These plovers mainly nest in open grassland and dry mudflats surrounding alkaline lakes. The species is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN because of its low breeding success, slow reproductive rate, and weak adaptation to increasing habitat loss, leading to declining population numbers.
Region
Western and southern Madagascar
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily along the west and south coasts, especially around alkaline and saline lakes, seasonal wetlands, and coastal lagoons. It favors open, short-sward grasslands, dry mudflats, salt pans, and the margins of shallow water bodies. Nests are placed on bare ground or sparsely vegetated flats with excellent visibility. Outside the breeding season it uses similar open shore habitats and occasionally adjacent dry scrub. Human disturbance, overgrazing, and wetland modification limit suitable sites.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Madagascar plover, or black-banded plover, is a small shorebird restricted to western and southern Madagascar. It breeds on sparsely vegetated saline flats, alkaline lake margins, and coastal grasslands where it lays well-camouflaged eggs in a simple ground scrape. Low breeding success and habitat degradation have led to population declines. Both parents share incubation and often perform distraction displays to deter predators.
A Madagascar plover in the hand
Madagascar plover breeding habitat at Lake Antsirabe, Andavadoaka, Madagascar
Madagascar plover incubates a nest
![Sites with known conservation and research efforts, marked by capital letters.[8]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Madagascar_plover_study_sites.png/480px-Madagascar_plover_study_sites.png)
Sites with known conservation and research efforts, marked by capital letters.[8]
Temperament
wary and moderately territorial during breeding
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small loose groups; monogamous during the breeding season. Nests are shallow scrapes on open ground, with both sexes incubating and tending chicks. Parents perform distraction displays to lure predators away from nests. Outside breeding, it may gather in small foraging parties on suitable flats.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives soft, high-pitched piping notes and sharp peeps, especially in territorial contexts. Alarm calls are terse and repeated, while contact calls are quieter and more tinkling. Vocal activity increases at dawn and dusk around nesting areas.
