The little ringed plover

A little ringed plover walks in wetland. Photos by Isaac Cohen

The little ringed plover

The little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius), is a small avian species, measuring about 17 centimeters long. Its light brown back, wings, and white belly create a captivating visual contrast. The black ring encircling its neck gives the bird its name. A black mask covers its eyes, each also surrounded by a golden ring.

金眶鸻（学名黑领鸻）是一种小型鸟类，身长约17厘米。它浅棕色的背部、翅膀与白色的腹部形成了迷人的视觉对比。它的名字来源于它脖子上的黑色的领圈，一个黑色的面具覆盖着它的眼睛，每只眼睛周围还有一个金色的圆圈。

With yellow legs and a short, straight beak, the bird possesses an endearing charm. With similar plumages, the males and females are difficult to tell apart.

黄色的腿和短而直的喙使这种鸟儿看起来可爱又充满魅力，但由于雄性和雌性的羽毛在外观上十分相似，人们很难一下子把它们区分开来。

A little ringed plover walks in wetland.

These birds thrive in habitats near freshwater sources, such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands. In Shenzhen, it can often be spotted along the Shenzhen Bay Park area or less frequently in parks like Honghu.

这些鸟在湖泊、河流和湿地等靠近淡水资源的栖息地茁壮成长。在深圳，它们的身影会经常在深圳湾公园附近出现，而在洪湖公园等公园就很少见了。

This migratory bird graces Shenzhen during winter. It breeds here before embarking on an awe-inspiring journey toward warmer southern Asia and African destinations. These journeys cover extensive distances, with some individuals traversing thousands of kilometers to reach their wintering grounds.

这些候鸟点亮了深圳的冬天。它在深圳繁育下一代以后便会前往温暖的南亚和非洲，开始它们令人惊叹的旅程。这段旅程将经过相当长的一段距离，有些鸟儿需要穿越数千公里才能到达它们的越冬地。

A little ringed plover walks in wetland.

Feeding primarily on insects and small invertebrates, the bird maintains a diverse diet. It catches worms in shallow waters or muddy areas, relying on its keen eyesight to spot prey and its sharp beak to capture them.

这种小鸟主要以昆虫和小型无脊椎动物为食，饮食种类丰富多样。它们主要在浅水区或泥泞的地方捕捉昆虫的幼虫，凭借敏锐的视力发现猎物，并用锋利的喙捉住它们。

During the breeding season, females lay a clutch of up to four eggs, which both parents take turns incubating. After approximately four weeks, the hatchlings emerge, able to walk and feed themselves. The devoted parents protect and nurture their young until they are ready to take flight.

在繁殖的季节，雌性一窝能产下四枚蛋，由父母双方轮流孵化。大约四周后，你就能看到幼崽出来自己走路和觅食了。保护和养育孩子的工作由它们忠实可靠的父母负责，直到它们准备好飞翔以后。

By feeding on small invertebrates, they help regulate the populations of these organisms in our ecosystems, maintaining balance in the environment. Their nesting habits and habitat preferences contribute to preserving the region’s wetlands and other ecosystems.

它们以小型无脊椎动物为食，能帮助调节生态系统中的小型生物数量，维持环境平衡。它们的筑巢习惯和栖息地偏好也有助于保护当地的湿地环境和其他生态系统。