The oriental plover, also known as the oriental dotterel, is a medium-sized plover closely related to the Caspian plover. It breeds in parts of Mongolia and China, migrating southwards each year to spend its non-breeding season in Indonesia, New Guinea and northern Australia.
Region
East Asian–Australasian Flyway
Typical Environment
Breeds on dry, open steppe and semi-desert plains in Mongolia and northern China, using areas with very short grass, bare soil, and scattered vegetation. During migration it stops at inland pastures, fallow fields, dry saltpans, and open flats. In the non‑breeding season it occupies short‑grass coastal plains, airfields, sports fields, and lightly vegetated shores and saltfields in northern Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia. It is generally more inland than many other shorebirds but will also use coastal margins when suitable open ground is available.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the oriental dotterel, this long‑legged plover breeds on the open steppes of Mongolia and northern China and winters across Indonesia, New Guinea, and northern Australia. It often favors short, sparsely vegetated grasslands and inland flats rather than shorelines, making it unusual among many plovers. Breeding males show striking chest patterns, while non‑breeding birds appear much plainer. It migrates along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway and can occur in large flocks on passage or in winter.
Temperament
wary and alert
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid, direct wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeds in open ground with nests as simple ground scrapes, usually in dispersed pairs or loose aggregations. Outside the breeding season it often forms flocks, sometimes mixed with other plovers. Courtship involves display flights and ground posturing by the male. Both sexes share in incubation and chick care.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are clear, piping whistles, often a sharp ‘peep’ or ‘tu-wee’ given in flight. Display calls are slightly more musical and repeated, especially over breeding territories.
Plumage
Sandy-brown upperparts with clean white underparts; long-legged and upright. Breeding males show a rich rufous throat to upper breast bordered below by a contrasting black band, while non‑breeding birds are much paler with a faint breast wash and clearer supercilium.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, ants, and termites, along with other small invertebrates like worms and small mollusks. It forages by running and pausing, picking prey from the surface or just below it. Feeding intensity can increase before and during migration to build fat reserves.
Preferred Environment
Short, open grasslands, grazed pastures, bare ground, and dry saltpans where visibility is high and vegetation is sparse. On the non‑breeding grounds it also uses airfields, sports fields, and lightly vegetated coastal flats.
