Breeding of the Banded and Masked Lapwings in Southern Victoria

Abstract

The breeding of the Banded and Masked Lapwings was investigated in southern Victoria in 1975. Both began breeding in July and stopped in October. Peak of breeding of Banded Lapwings was several weeks before that of the Masked Lapwings. The difference : in the timing of breeding between the species is related to the difference in the availability vf their food. The commonest clutch size was four in both species; mean clutch sizes were 3.8 in the Banded Lapwing and 3.6 in the Masked Lapwing. The eggs of Banded Lapwings were larger relative to body weight than those of Masked Lapwings. The breeding success and rate of growth of the young were higher for Masked than for Banded Lapwings. It is proposed that these dissimilarities in breeding are due to differences in both the habitat used and the amount of parental investment in the energy required for the growth of the young. Comparisons are made with breeding data on Masked Lapwings in Tasmania and New Zealand.