Fun Hooded Plover Facts For Kids

The hooded plover (Thinornis cucullatus) is a species of bird that is native to South Australia. Subspecies of these birds can also be found across Western Australia as well as east Australia.

Their habitats mainly include freshwater lakes and marshes, and lagoons of coastal regions. They are medium-sized and have short legs. The lower side of their bodies are white in color and they have a red ring-like structure covering the areas around their eyes.

Females and males share the same physical characteristics. During their breeding season, they can be found in pairs building nests in the sand. The nests are usually built at a distance from other birds.

Females can lay up to one to three eggs. Hatching of the eggs occurs after 30 days, following which chicks are born.

However, due to a variety of reasons they are currently considered to be a threatened species. Human intervention and habitat loss are the main reasons for this.

Many a time, the eggs and chicks are crushed by vehicles driven by humans. Other predators like foxes also threaten their population further. They are currently listed as a Vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

If you are fascinated by the hooded plover, then you may want to continue reading our other amazing facts about them. If you want to learn more about different birds around the world, you can read up on Kentish plover facts and little ringed plover facts.

Hooded Plover Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a hooded plover?

The hooded plover (Thinornis cucullatus) is a species of bird, like the American golden plover.

What class of animal does a hooded plover belong to?

The hooded plover (Thinornis cucullatus) belongs to the Aves class of animals and the family of Charadriidae.

How many hooded plovers are there in the world?

The current population of these birds stands at 7000 adult individuals in Australia. The decrease in their population is alarming and could push their species towards extinction if proper measures are not taken.

Where does a hooded plover live?

These birds are native to South Australia. Subspecies of these birds can also be found across the regions of eastern Australia as well as Western Australia.

What is a hooded plover's habitat?

This species of bird can mostly be found around water habitats, like sandy ocean beaches, freshwater lakes, and marshes. They can also be seen inhabiting the lagoons of coastal regions.

Who do hooded plovers live with?

These birds are monogamous in nature, and pairs can be found moving together, especially during the breeding season. They can also be found in small to large groups consisting of 10 or more individuals, during the non-breeding season.

How long does a hooded plover live?

The average lifespan of the hooded plover (Thinornis cucullatus) is known to be less than 20 years in the wild.

How do they reproduce?

Found in South Australia, this species of bird is monogamous by nature, that is they form pairs for many years. Beach nesting is done by the females, where the eggs are generally laid in the sand itself and the surroundings are covered with leaves, pebbles, sticks are shells.

These birds are particularly territorial by nature, and therefore the nests and eggs are laid at a considerable distance from other pairs. Laying of the eggs occurs during the months of August and March.

A female can lay up to one to three eggs. Hatching of the eggs occurs after 30 days, following which new chicks are born.

What is their conservation status?

The hooded plovers are currently listed as a Vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Habitat loss and human activities are some of the main reasons behind their reduction in number. Threats from other predators, like foxes also continue to be an alarming reason behind their current state.

Hooded Plover Fun Facts

What do hooded plovers look like?

The hooded plover is a medium-sized bird with short orange-colored legs. Their head is black in color, with a white collar around their neck. The underparts of its body are white. One of its distinguishing characteristics is the red ring that surrounds its eyes. The base of its bill is red and the tip is black.

How cute are they?

Just like hummingbirds, hooded plovers are extremely cute, especially their chicks. Almost most of the species of birds are beautiful to look at. However, they are not particularly fond of human beings and will flee at an encounter with us.

How do they communicate?

These birds are silent by nature. However, they do sometimes communicate with each other through vocal sounds. When they feel threatened or agitated they tend to produce a high-pitched 'kseep', to alert the others. Contrary to this, their flight calls are at a much lower frequency.

How big is a hooded plover?

The hooded plover is a medium-sized bird. The average length of this bird ranges from 7.5–9.1 in (19-23 cm). Females are the same size as males. They are bigger than a rufous hummingbird.

How fast can a hooded plover move?

Although the exact speed of these birds is not yet known, they are known to possess a wingspan of 9.1–17.3 in (23-44 cm). Chicks, however, cannot fly until they are five weeks old and remain with their parents during that period.

How much does a hooded plover weigh?

The weight of a hooded plover ranges between 3.2-3.5 oz (90-100g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

They have no sex-specific names.

What would you call a baby hooded plover?

The young ones of these birds are known as chicks.

What do they eat?

The hooded plover's diet generally consists of small invertebrates as well as insects, worms, and mollusks. They are also known to feed on plant materials like seeds and turions.

They feed depending on the tide of the water. During low to mid-tide, they feast on the prey that gets washed up by the sea, and during high tide, seaweeds comprise the majority of their diet.

Are they dangerous?

No, these birds are not at all harmful towards humans, Rather, they are shy and fly away immediately when encountered by a human. While fleeing, they are known to produce a high pitch sound, so as to warn others.

Would they make a good pet?

No, they do not make a good pet. Their non-friendly attitude towards human beings is the primary reason. Furthermore, their population is also gradually decreasing and is currently listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The best way to take care of them is by letting them fend for themselves in the wild.

Did you know...

Hooded plovers share physical characteristics with sanderlings.

Can hooded plovers fly?

Yes, hooded plovers can fly. However, the exact speed of their movement is not known. The young ones are not capable of flying until they are five weeks old. During that period, they stay near their parents, for protection from other predators.

Why are hooded plovers endangered?

The hooded plovers are currently listed as a Vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Human intervention and habitat loss have put their survival at risk and are one of the primary reasons behind their rather drastic decrease in population.

Due to beach-nesting, the eggs and the chicks are also sometimes run over by vehicles. As well as this, other predators, mainly foxes, also continue to threaten their population further.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our eastern whipbird facts and grey-faced buzzard facts pages. 

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable bird coloring pages.

Main image by J.J. Harrison.

Second image by J.J. Harrison.