Eurasian dotterel

The Eurasian dotterel is a charming small bird belonging to the plover family. During the breeding season, it boasts a distinctive appearance with brown and black streaks, a striking white eye-stripe, and a vibrant orange-red chest band. This bird is quite the traveler, breeding in northern Europe and Eurosiberia before migrating to North Africa and the Middle East for the winter.

Interestingly, it is the male dotterel that takes charge of nesting duties. He incubates the eggs and cares for the chicks—a role reversal that is quite rare in the bird world. Historically, the term "dotterel" was used to describe someone gullible or foolish, likely because these birds are surprisingly easy to approach and capture.

The name "dotterel" has been around since at least 1440 and was used both for the bird and as an insult. This bird's trusting nature made it an easy target for hunters in the past, which led to it being considered a delicacy. The names Charadrius (genus) and morinellus (species) come from Latin and Greek, respectively, both hinting at the bird's characteristics.

Size-wise, the Eurasian dotterel is smaller than the European golden plover. It has a broad range, inhabiting the Arctic tundra and mountain plateaus during the breeding season and migrating to North Africa in the winter. Its diet mainly consists of insects and small invertebrates. One notable behavior is its unique flight call and simple whistle song.

While the Eurasian dotterel is still relatively common, its population is slowly declining. Conservation efforts have earned it a "least-concern" status from the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, a survey in Scotland showed a significant drop in breeding males, underscoring the need for ongoing conservation measures. The Eurasian dotterel is also protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), which aims to safeguard these fascinating creatures for the future.