Spur-winged Plover
The Spur-winged Plover (Vanellus miles) is a very recent arrival to NZ (first recorded breeding pair in the 1930’s). Pairs are often seen in pastureland and human modification seems to have created a fertile habitat for these birds in New Zealand. This species is called the Masked Lapwing in Australia. This individual was photographed on the shore of one of the inlets on the Otago peninsula.
Photo taken by Alexei Drummond on 14 February 2018, Otago peninsula, NZ