Eurasian Dotterel

Informazioni

The Eurasian Dotterel, known in Italian as Piviere tortolino, is a small, distinctive wader belonging to the plover family. It is renowned for its striking breeding plumage, unique breeding behavior where the male primarily incubates eggs and cares for chicks, and its preference for high-altitude, open tundra and fell-field habitats during the breeding season.

Dimensioni e longevità

Lunghezza

20-24 cm

Apertura alare

57-64 cm

Peso

90-140 g

Longevità

Typically 3-5 years, with records up to 10 years in the wild.

Dieta

Insectivore, primarily feeding on insects and other small invertebrates.

Caratteristiche fisiche

Piumaggio

Breeding adults have a striking plumage: a broad white supercilium extending from the bill to the nape, a dark crown, a white breast band bordered by a narrow black line, a rich chestnut-orange belly, and dark flanks. The back is mottled brown and black. Non-breeding plumage is duller, with a plain brownish-grey breast and belly, and a less distinct supercilium. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but have a scaly appearance on the back and breast.

Forma del becco

Short, straight, and relatively stout, dark grey to black.

Colore degli occhi

Dark brown.

Colore delle zampe

Dull yellowish-green to olive-grey.

Caratteristiche distintive

The broad white supercilium, white breast band, and rich chestnut belly in breeding plumage are highly distinctive. In flight, a narrow white wing-bar is visible.

Aspetto giovanile

Juveniles are duller than adults, lacking the vibrant chestnut belly and distinct white breast band. Their upperparts are mottled brown with pale feather fringes giving a scaly look, and the underparts are buffish-white with some streaking on the breast.

Cambiamenti stagionali

The striking breeding plumage is acquired in spring before migration to breeding grounds. After breeding, they molt into a duller, cryptic non-breeding (winter) plumage, which is predominantly brownish-grey above and whitish below with a less defined supercilium and no chestnut belly.

Dimorfismo sessuale

Females are typically slightly larger and more brightly colored than males during the breeding season, a rare instance of reversed sexual dimorphism among birds. This is linked to their polyandrous breeding system.

Come identificare

1. 1

   Breeding Plumage (Adult)

   Look for the broad white supercilium, dark crown, white breast band, and rich chestnut-orange belly. The back is mottled brown. This combination is unmistakable.

2. 2

   Non-breeding/Juvenile Plumage

   More challenging. Look for the overall plover shape, dull brownish-grey upperparts, and a less distinct pale supercilium. Juveniles have a scaly back pattern. The yellowish-green legs are a good clue.

3. 3

   Behavior

   Their tame nature, often allowing close approach, is characteristic. They forage with a distinctive 'stop-start' walk. During breeding, males are often seen incubating or tending chicks.

4. 4

   Habitat

   In breeding season, look in high-altitude, open, stony tundra or fell-field habitats. On migration, they can be found in open fields, short grasslands, or coastal areas.

5. 5

   Call

   Listen for the soft, plaintive 'pyu' or 'puit' call, especially when disturbed or in flight.

Habitat e areale

Biomi

Tundra, alpine meadows, fell-fields, high-altitude plateaus.

Areale geografico

Breeds in the Arctic tundra and high mountains of Eurasia, from Scandinavia and Scotland eastward across Russia to Siberia. Winters in semi-arid regions of North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia.

Fascia altitudinale

Breeds at elevations typically above 500 meters, often much higher (up to 3000 meters in some mountain ranges).

Ambienti preferiti

Open, sparsely vegetated areas with short mosses, lichens, and grasses, often with stony or rocky ground. Avoids dense vegetation or tall shrubs.

Comportamento

Periodo di attività

Diurnal, active during daylight hours.

Abitudini alimentari

Forages by walking slowly, pausing, and then pecking at the ground to catch insects and other invertebrates. They often use a 'stop-start' method of foraging. Diet includes beetles, flies, caterpillars, spiders, and earthworms.

Comportamento sociale

During breeding, they are often found in loose colonies or as solitary pairs. Outside the breeding season, they can form small to large flocks, especially during migration, sometimes numbering hundreds of individuals.

Tipo di volo

Direct and strong, with rapid wingbeats. Often flies low over the ground. Displays a distinctive 'butterfly-like' display flight during courtship.

Migrazione

Long-distance migratory. They breed in northern and high-altitude regions and migrate south to wintering grounds in North Africa and the Middle East. Migration occurs in broad fronts, often at night. They are known for their 'dotterel roads' – traditional migration routes and stopover sites.

Territorialità

Females establish territories and attract males. Males are territorial around the nest site and chicks.

Riproduzione

Stagione riproduttiva

Late May to July.

Abitudini di nidificazione

Nests are shallow scrapes on the ground, typically lined with lichens, mosses, and small plant fragments. Often placed in a slightly elevated position for good visibility.

Dimensione della covata

2-4 eggs, most commonly 3.

Descrizione dell'uovo

Typically 3 (sometimes 2 or 4) pyriform eggs, olive-buff to greenish-brown, heavily blotched and spotted with dark brown or black.

Periodo di incubazione

21-29 days, primarily by the male.

Periodo di involo

Chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. They are able to feed themselves but are guarded by the male for about 25-30 days until they can fly.

Cure parentali

A unique aspect of Dotterel breeding is the reversed parental roles. The female lays clutches for multiple males (polyandry), and the male takes sole responsibility for incubation and chick rearing. Females may lay up to three clutches with different males in a single season.

Dove trovarlo

Consigli sul campo

1. Patience and Stealth. Dotterels are famously tame, often allowing very close approach. Move slowly and quietly to avoid flushing them. They may even approach you out of curiosity.
2. Scan Open Ground. They are well-camouflaged against their stony, sparse habitats. Use binoculars to scan open areas, looking for movement or their distinctive shape.
3. Look for Flocks on Migration. During migration, they can form flocks, sometimes mixed with other plovers. Look for groups feeding in open fields.
4. Respect Breeding Sites. If you are in breeding areas, be extremely careful not to disturb nesting birds. Follow local guidelines and avoid approaching nests too closely, as disturbance can lead to nest failure.
5. Listen for Calls. Their soft calls can be a good indicator of their presence, especially in foggy or low-visibility conditions.

Specie simili

Fatti rapidi

Unique Breeding Role:

Female lays eggs for multiple males; males incubate and raise chicks.

Habitat Preference:

High-altitude tundra and fell-fields.

Tameness:

Known for being exceptionally tame, allowing close approach.

Migration:

Long-distance migrant, often using traditional 'dotterel roads'.

Plumage:

Striking breeding plumage with white supercilium and chestnut belly.

Curiosità

• The name 'Dotterel' comes from the old English word 'dotard', meaning foolish or simple-minded, referring to its tame and trusting nature, which made it easy to catch in the past.
• The Eurasian Dotterel exhibits reversed sexual dimorphism and polyandry, where females are brighter and compete for males, and males perform most of the parental care. This is a rare breeding strategy among birds.
• In some cultures, the Dotterel was historically considered a 'foolish' bird due to its tameness, making it an easy target for hunters. This led to significant population declines in some areas.
• Dotterels are known to undertake impressive migratory journeys, often flying at high altitudes and covering vast distances between their Arctic breeding grounds and North African wintering areas.

Classificazione scientifica

Regno

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Classe

Aves

Ordine

Charadriiformes

Famiglia

Charadriidae

Genere

Eudromias

Specie

Eudromias morinellus

Esplora Eurasian Dotterel