Spur-winged Plover

Description:

The masked lapwing (Vanellus miles), also known as the masked plover and often called the spur-winged plover or just plover in its native range, is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia. The subspecies found in the southern and eastern states (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae), and often locally called the spur-winged plover, has a black neck-stripe and smaller wattles.

Habitat:

urban garden bordering a coastal wildlife corridor

Notes:

I didn't notice the wing spur on these birds, but this was the only species I found from this area, and they look alike. These plover had their family in the backyard of our holiday house. The first day I arrived, they swooped me and acted injured to lead me off. But after that, they only gave warning calls or flew off when I passed through the yard on the way to the beach.