Scientific Name: Charadrius dealbatus
Malay Name: Rapang Pantai Cina
Chinese Name: 白脸鸻
Range:
Found from south and southeast China with some population wintering south to the coasts of mainland Southeast Asia and Sumatra
Taxonomy:
Monotypic.
Size: 16 cm
Identification:
Formerly considered a subspecies of Kentish Plover. Non-breeding adult resembles Kentish Plover but is bigger and has more white on forehead, shorter/narrower lateral breast-band and distinctively pinkish-toned legs. Breeding male is distinguished from breeding male Kentish Plover by the lack of black eye-stripe while breeding female resembles non-breeding adult but crown, lores, ear-coverts strongly rufous- to orange-toned.
Similar looking species: Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Malaysian Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Javan Plover
Habitat: Sandy beaches and suitable coastal habitats.
Behaviour/Ecology: Have been observed wintering in Singapore and form flocks with Kentish Plovers and Lesser Sand Plovers.
Local Status: Rare migrant
Conservation Status: Data Deficient (BirdLife International 2016)
Past accepted records in our database: (not a complete listing)
Photos:
External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (White-faced Plover)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Charadrius dealbatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22735615A95115530.en. Accessed on 19 December 2021
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.