A small, elegant wading bird found mainly in western and central Africa. It belongs to the plover family, a group of birds known for their quick, stop-and-go movements and preference for open, often wet, habitats. What makes Forbes’s plover stand out is its stylish black breast band bordered by white, giving it a sharply dressed appearance. It also has a striking face pattern: a white forehead and eyebrow line that contrast with a dark crown and eye-stripe. Its upperparts are mostly brown, while the underparts are white, giving it a crisp, clean look. This bird isn’t just about good looks, though—it’s also known for its agility and adaptability in some pretty rugged environments.
Unlike many other plovers that prefer coastal mudflats and beaches, Forbes’s plover is more of an inland specialist. It’s usually found near freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes, and flooded grasslands, but it can also be spotted in drier savanna areas, especially after rains. Its long legs and upright posture give it a slightly taller appearance than some of its plover cousins. Forbes’s plover moves with a distinctive rhythm—short bursts of quick steps, followed by sudden stops to scan for insects or small invertebrates, which make up most of its diet. It’s a visual hunter, relying on sharp eyesight to detect movement on the ground.
Breeding typically happens during the wet season, when food is plentiful. Like most plovers, Forbes’s plover doesn’t build a fancy nest. Instead, the female lays her eggs in a shallow scrape on the ground, often lined with a few pebbles or bits of vegetation. The eggs are well-camouflaged to match the surroundings, reducing the risk of predation. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and later care for the chicks, which are precocial—meaning they can walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Equatorial Guinea
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Liberia
Mali
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
ZambiaAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic / Monomorphic (size)
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
