Size: Length; 37cm. Wingspan; 85cm. Weight; 440g.

Age: Up to 12 years.

Habitat and distribution: New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. Pastures, fallow fields and margins of various wetlands.

Breeding: Nest in a depression in ground in short grass, lined with plant material. Lay 4 eggs which are incubated for around 30 days.

Diet: Insects, molluscs, crustaceans, seeds and leaves.

• 67 species make up the family Charadriidae (plovers).
• Spends most of its time on the ground searching for food, such as insects and worms, and has several distinctive calls.
• They have a sharp yellow spur on the carpal joint of the wing, which they use to defend themselves when threatened.
• They also have a bright yellow wattle that reaches well behind the eye and hangs down beside the chin.
• Since this bird lives on the ground it is always alert and even though it rests, it never sleeps properly.