Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)
The Little Ringed Plover is a small wading bird that belongs to the family Charadriidae. It is found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and Africa.
These birds have a distinctive appearance, with a brownish-gray plumage on their body, a white belly, and a relatively short neck and bill. They have a distinctive yellow eye-ring and a dark ring around their neck.
Little Ringed Plovers are typically found in open habitats, including sandy beaches, mudflats, and riverbanks. They feed on a variety of prey, including insects, small crustaceans, and worms.
During breeding season, Little Ringed Plovers build a scrape nest on sandy or gravelly areas, laying 3-5 eggs per clutch. Both parents share the duties of incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Little Ringed Plovers are considered a species of least concern by the IUCN Red List, although some populations are threatened by habitat loss and degradation, pollution, and disturbance from human activity. Conservation efforts are underway to protect their habitats, including the designation of protected areas and the implementation of sustainable management practices.
Overall, the Little Ringed Plover is an interesting and important species that plays a significant role in many open habitats around the world.