Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Anarhynchus peronii
Family: Plovers and Lapwings · Status: Uncommon resident · Size: 14–16 cm · Conservation: Near Threatened
Resident in the Thai-Malay Peninsula, southern Cambodia and Vietnam, and Greater and Lesser Sundas.
Male has a white nuchal collar, prominent pale fringes to the wing coverts giving a mottled appearance, rufous crown with a black forehead patch, and black lateral breast patches. Female resembles male but has rufous breast patches and a completely rufous crown. Easily separated from other white-collared plovers such as Kentish, White-faced and Javan by mottled upperparts.
Exclusively coastal — sandy beaches, open dunes with sparse vegetation, and sandy areas of reclaimed land.
Sometimes in pairs or small groups.