Blacksmith plover

The blacksmith plover or in Afrikaans bontkiewiet is found in every part of South Africa and beyond the border, as far as East Africa.

The birds are commonly seen near water at fresh water sites like dams, vleis, pans and wet fields. They will stroll in places covered in short grass like lawns, moisture or open water probably not far away. Coastal saltwater patches like tidal flats and lagoon perimeters are frequented, not as much as the fresh water sites.

Sightings of solitary birds or breeding pairs are more common than flocks that may number more than 30 birds.

These plovers mainly eat insects, worms and snails, not in short supply in the open vegetation near water.

Nests are scraped on the ground not far from water, lined with grassy bits, stone and earth. The two to six spotted, yellowish eggs take about four weeks to hatch. Both parents share the duties, also during aftercare (Maclean, 1993).