Pacific Golden Plover
Pluvialis fulva

The Pacific Golden Plover is closely related to the Eurasian and American Golden Plovers and the name comes from the characteristic golden flecks on the back plumage. These birds are in winter plumage - in summer, they gain black breasts and bellies and become more brightly coloured on the back. They are fairly small at 21-25 cm in length. They breed in Siberia and Alaska and winter in the South Pacific and Asia, although small numbers wander to Europe each year.
 

1-2: Old Bar, NSW, 28/11/2010.