Malaysian Plover

Malaysian Plover

Scientific Name: Anarhynchus peronii

Malay Name: Rapang Pantai Melayu

Chinese Name: 马来鸻

Range: Found throughout Southeast Asia except Java.

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 14-16 cm

Identification: Male resembles breeding male Kentish Plover but upperparts and wing-coverts with prominent pale fringes (appear scaly or mottled) and black lateral breast-patches extend in complete band below white nuchal collar. Female looks similar to male but lateral breast-band is rufous-orange and lack black crown-patch. Juvenile appears duller than female.

Similar looking species: Kentish Plover, White-faced Plover, Javan Plover

Habitat: Sandy beaches and suitable coastal habitats.

Behaviour/Ecology: Usually solitary or in pairs and sometimes in very small groups.

Local Status: Uncommon resident

Conservation Status: Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2017)

Location: Tuas, Changi, Lorong Halus, Seletar Mudflat, Pulau Semakau and the breakwaters near Marina Barrage.

Featured reports: Jan 2024, Feb 2024, Mar 2024, Apr 2024, May 2024, Jun 2024, Jul 2024, Aug 2024, Sep 2024, Oct 2024, Nov 2024, Dec 2024, Jan 2025, Feb 2025, Mar 2025

Malaysian Plover at Marina East Drive. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Malaysian Plovers at Changi Cove. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Male Malaysian Plover at Marina Barrage. Photo Credit: See Toh Yew Wai
Female Malaysian Plover at Seletar Dam. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Juvenile Malaysian Plover at Tuas South. Photo Credit: See Toh Yew Wai
Malaysian Plovers at Changi Cove. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Malaysian Plover chick at Marina East Drive. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Malaysian Plover at Marina East Drive. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Malaysian Plover at Marina East Drive. Photo credit: Francis Yap
External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Malaysian Plover)

References:

BirdLife International. (2017). Charadrius peronii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22693836A110905171.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

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Malaysian Plover. Retrieved on April 29, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/malaysian-plover.

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