Scientific Name: Anarhynchus javanicus
Malay Name: Rapang Pantai Jawa
Chinese Name: 爪哇鸻
Range: Breeds from Timor to the southern coast of Sumatra and western coast of Sulawesi. A single breeding record in Pulau Tekong of Singapore in June 2021 is the furthest known range as of 2021.
Taxonomy: Monotypic.
Size: 15 cm
Identification: From the similar looking common migrant, Kentish Plover, by warm buff ear-coverts, relatively heavier bill and longer legs. White-faced Plover will lack distinct facial markings, while Malaysian Plover has more mottled looking upperparts.
Similar looking species: Kentish Plover, Malaysian Plover, Tibetan Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, White-faced Plover
Habitat: Mudflats, sandflats, and coastal wetlands.
Behaviour/Ecology: Found along the coast as with many other plovers. Seems to be experiencing a rapid range expansion with recent sightings at previously undetected sites such as southern Sumatra, the western coast of Sulawesi and Singapore.
Local Status: Very rare resident
Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2021)
- Bird List Revision for September 2021 – Special Edition (Revisions)
- An Indonesian Archipelago Wishlist: Birds to Look Out For (Science)
- Singapore’s first wild Black-headed Ibis (Science)
- Some birds cannot be identified? (ID Articles)
Featured reports: Aug 2024
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Javan Plover)
References:
BirdLife International. (2021). Charadrius javanicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22693839A185618684.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Eaton, J. A., van Balen, S., Brickle, N. W., & Rheindt, F. E. (2021). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea (Second Edition). Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Javan Plover. Retrieved on June 13, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/javan-plover.