Scientific Name: Charadrius leschenaultii
Malay Name: Rapang-Sisir Besar
Chinese Name: 铁嘴沙鸻
Range: Found from Turkey to Jordon, Central Asia, Siberia, Mongolia and northern China, wintering along the coasts of Africa, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, southern China, Japan, Southeast Asia and Australasia
Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: columbinus, scythicus, leschenaultii.
Local Subspecies: leschenaultii
Size: 22-25 cm
Identification: Resembles Lesser Sand Plover in both breeding and non-breeding plumages but larger with broader head, thicker bill and proportionately longer and yellowish legs. Usually observed to be in full non-breeding plumage in Singapore at the start of autumn migration when the Lesser Sand Plovers still have traces of breeding plumage on them.
Similar looking species: Kentish Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Oriental Plover, White-faced Plover, Javan Plover
Habitat: Mudflats and sandy shores.
Behaviour/Ecology: Associates with other feeding shorebirds, especially Lesser Sand Plover.
Local Status: Rare migrant
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Greater Sand-Plover)
References:
BirdLife International. (2019). Charadrius leschenaultii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22693862A153879900.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Jeyarajasingam, A., & Pearson, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Oxford University Press.
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Singapore Birds Project. (n.d.). Greater Sand Plover. Retrieved on June 1, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/greater-sand-plover.