Mystery Bird: Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus

tags: , , , , ,

[Mystery bird] Crowned Plover, also known as the Crowned Lapwing, Vanellus coronatus, photographed in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania, Africa. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]

Image: Dan Logen, 29 August 2007 [larger view].

Nikon D2X, 200-400 Nikon Lens at 400.

So of course, before you give me an ID, I have to ask you how many legs you see in this picture.

Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.

Review all mystery birds to date.

More like this

I am happy to report that John Gorenfeld has revived his blog, I Approve This Messiah, which focuses on the activities of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.
tags: Affirmed, Alydar, horseracing,
Still trying to figure out where the dividing line is between my new project, ZooBorns, and Zooillogix, but this definitely spans the two.

2 red legs, one of the field marks for Crowned Lapwing, along with the white stripe near the top of the head and the two-tone bill. Great shot.

By Larry Gardella (not verified) on 22 Aug 2009 #permalink

Plus two smaller legs to the right of mama's own.

By John Walters (not verified) on 22 Aug 2009 #permalink

Legs: 2 adult red ones, 2 pink baby ones!
Crowned Plover
Red bill & legs, bill with black tip.
black lores and head with white halo. Black belly band. Great picture!

By Faye Hands (not verified) on 22 Aug 2009 #permalink

Nobody got it right and the answer is so easy! It's a Ornithorhynchus anatinus "Platypus", four legs, fur covered (that's the only tricky part to see) and has a beak. I almost went for "echidna" but seeing spines there was just too much, come on!

:)

Beautiful bird, beautiful picture.