DIADEMED SANDPIPER PLOVER Phegornis mitchellii

Near-threatened, but may be commoner than is realised due to its remote habitat in Andean river valleys and grasslands. It is not gregarious and occurs at low density on breeding areas, rarely seen in groups of more than six, and unlike many waders it doesn't move to appreciably lower areas in winter. This is a bird of uncertain affinities, indeed it is now officially (IOC 10.2) Sandpiper-Plover, plumage and jizz are very different to most plovers and in particular the bill is calidrid-like.

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