Plover family adopts tiny chick ‘Downunder’

from Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers WILVOS 5441 6200 www.wilvos.org.au

Masked lapwings, commonly known as plovers, are often a source of calls to  the WILVOS Hotline at this time of year.   We've made a special effort this year to reunite plover chicks, and other species, with their parents, rather than them coming into care. It can be a time-consuming process but it is a joy to see with any wildlife.  Besides those animals that come through our WILVOS Hotline, we also appreciate the time taken by  wildlife facilities and vets in  assisting  us in the reuniting process by getting address details.   

Often with plover chicks, the last one to hatch has trouble keeping up with the rest of the family.  They can be left behind, later to be found in a weak state.  They usually perk up quickly with warmth and nutrition.  

Unlike many other young birds masked lapwings don’t need to be hand-fed.  If they are slow  to start pecking at their food there are always a few tricks to get them going.  Little bantam chicks soon show them how to pick up from the ground.  Earthworms and insects in shallow water soon have them snapping up the bugs!  Tapping on the ground with a couple of chopsticks held up beside the chicks even works.  Well, they look a little like the parents legs!   Wildlife carers become very inventive.

This week, one little plover named “Downunder”, found a new family once he  regained his strength.  He went from 20 to 40 grams in a matter of days.  Then the search was on for a family to adopt him.  Incredibly, the adult plovers are quite happy to accept new chicks if they are about the same size as their own. “Downunder” happily joined his new family and his carer could not tell which chick was him.  A perfect scenario. All our wildlife are special, and we are very lucky to still have them around.