Masked lapwings, Vanellus Miles, are very common in Tasmania. They are also called Spur-wing plovers because of the nasty bone spur on their “wrist” joint that they use to attack anyone, including humans, that get to close to their brood.
During their breeding season, Imogen and I refer to them as “psycho lapwings”, as that pretty much sums up their behavior. Since they’ll “nest” (more of depression in the ground than an actual nest) anywhere there is a bit of grass, they are everywhere along the roadways, parks and even in people’s lawns. I saw one pair with their nearly grown chick in a small divider strip in a carpark.
