The Little Ringed Plover in Aceh

 *Heri Tarmizi

Image by Heri Tarmizi

The Little Ringed Plover, scientifically known as Charadrius dubius, is a small shorebird belonging to the plover family, Charadriidae. Here's a description of the bird and its wintering habitat, including its presence in Aceh:

Description:

- The Little Ringed Plover is a relatively small bird, measuring around 15-18 cm in length.

- It has a distinctive appearance with a brownish-gray back and wings, a white belly, and a black breast band that extends into a black patch on its neck.

- Its most striking feature is a yellow ring around its eye, which is where it gets its name from.

Habitat:

- Little Ringed Plovers can be found in a variety of freshwater habitats, including riverbanks, lakeshores, ponds, marshes, and mudflats.

- They prefer areas with sandy or gravelly substrates where they can forage for small invertebrates like insects, worms, and crustaceans.

- These birds are often found in both natural and man-made habitats, such as reservoirs, sewage farms, and flooded gravel pits.

Wintering Areas:

- During the winter months, Little Ringed Plovers migrate from their breeding grounds to warmer regions where they can find suitable feeding and roosting sites.

- Aceh, located in the northern part of Sumatra, Indonesia, serves as one of the wintering areas for these birds.

- The coastal areas of Aceh, including estuaries, sandy beaches, and tidal flats, provide ideal wintering habitat for Little Ringed Plovers.

- They can be observed foraging along the water's edge or resting on exposed mudflats during low tide.

Presence in Aceh:

- While Aceh may not be the primary breeding ground for Little Ringed Plovers, it serves as an important stopover and wintering area during their migration.

- The province's diverse coastal habitats and wetlands attract migratory shorebirds, including Little Ringed Plovers, seeking refuge and food resources during the winter months.

- Birdwatchers and conservationists in Aceh have opportunities to observe and study these charming shorebirds as they utilize the region's natural resources for survival during the non-breeding season.