Tawny-throated Dotterel

About the Tawny-throated Dotterel

The tawny-throated dotterel (Oreopholus ruficollis) is a species of bird in the family Charadriidae, the plovers and their relatives. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. The tawny-throated dotterel is the only living member of its genus, though an extinct species O. orcesi is known from fossil remains. It has two subspecies, the nominate O. r. ruficollis and O. r. pallidus. Some authors have suggested that the two deserve further investigation because they have different plumage.

The tawny-throated dotterel is 25 to 29 cm (9.8 to 11 in) long and weighs 120 to 154 g (4.2 to 5.4 oz). The sexes are alike and have no seasonal changes in plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies are mostly rich buff, with heavy dark streaking on the back. They have a white chin, an orange-tawny throat, gray neck and breast, and a small black patch on the belly. Their white underwing shows in flight. Juveniles have a buff throat, less dense streaking on the back, and paler underparts with a brown belly patch. Subspecies O. r. pallidus is very similar to the nominate but smaller and overall paler. Wikipedia →