Mystery Bird: Crowned Plover, Vanellus coronatus

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[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.

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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.