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The Javan plover (Charadruis javanicus) is a small wading bird within the family Charadriidae found near coastal habitats along the Oriental Region. The Javan plover is among the smallest of plovers, averaging at about 15 cm in length. This species has a white underbelly with dark brown plummage on its back with a distinguished narrow brown collar. Javan plovers can live up to a maximum age of 14, but generally live around five years in the wild and begin breeding at the age of one.

The taxonomy of the Javan plover has not been well studied and is subject to debate as it was previously thought to be the same species as the Kentish plover due to its similar appearance and overlapping home ranges. However, distinct differences in markings suggest there is a possibility that it may be subspecies or seperate species itself. Recent research conducted at the Indonesian Institute of Science Cibinong Science Centre identified a 1.2% variation through mitochondrial DNA Analysis. This work suggests that the Javan plover (Charadruis javanicus) is a subspecies of the Kentish plover (Charandrius alexandrinus), altering the scientific name to distinguish at a subspecies level to (Charandrius alexandrinus javanicus). This research is however subject to review as a singular mitochondrial marker which makes generalization to a species level difficult.

Description
The Javan plover is around 15 cm in length with a dark brown plumage along their back which form a lateral breast collar as well as white coloration along their underbelly, forehead, and supercilium. The prescence of an incomplete white hind-collar is also a distinctive characteristic. This species has a thicker bill among the plovers with a length of 12-16 mm. Javan plovers have long pale grey/olive legs with a tarsus length of 25-30 mm In flight, a white coloration is visible in the wing bar and out-tail feathers. Plumage of the Javan plover vary based on their three difference life-stages, juvenile, adult non-breeding and adult breeding. Juveniles are have a much more pale plumage in comparison to adults and less distinct breast patches that are much more gradient. The appearance of the breast patched are similar to juveniles, but are generally darker in coloration. The plumage of a breeding adult have a more defined and complete lateral breast collar. The supercilium of the breeding males are shorter in comparason to females which often extends beyond the eye.

Often mistaken for the Kentish plover, this species can be differentiated by their oval-shaped heads, thicker bills, longer legs and more erect appearance. Another distinguishing feature between males of the two species is the black frontal bar and black lateral breast patches of the Kentish Plover which is not present on the breeding Javan Plover. Females can be distinguished by their neck collars as Kentish Plovers have an incomplete collar whereas the Javan plovers have complete neck collars.

Distribution and Habitat
Habitat

The Javan plover resides in costal habitats along the Oriental region and prefers habitats in proximity to a water source, normally inhabiting and foraging along beaches of coastal habitats such as costal lowlands, sandy, tidal and intertidal flats. Distribution

The Javan plover is endemic to Indonesia. Previously though to be found only in Javan and Kangean Island but has more recently been discovered in Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Lombok, Semau Island.

Behaviour
Diet

Similar to other plovers, the Javan plover is an insectivore, feeding on a variety of invertebrates in costal habitats such as insects, crustaceans, and crabs. Extensive research has not been conducted on the diet of this species.

Breeding

The Javan plover frequently feeds and breeds along dry saline land and aquaculture ponds. The Javan plover is known to have two breeding seasons. Their main breeding season occurs from May to August with chicks generally hatching around July. A secondary breeding season is established from September to January. Males and females work together to rear young. The incubation period of the Javan plover is short in comparason to other plover species lasting around 21 to 23 days. Fledging's are precocious upon birth but often stay with their parents for about three months. Parents are very territorial of offspring and inhibit defensive distracting behaviors to lead predators away from their nests. This is done by bobbing their head and walking away while creating a soft "tu-wit" call.

Vocalizations

The Javan plover's calls consist of short soft high pitched "peeps" while foraging while the alarm call of the Javan plover is a longer note sounding similar to a questioning "week?". When defending their nests and distracting predators, they have been recorded to create a soft "tu-wit" call.