Kentish Plover

The bird in flight is most likely to be a Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus or Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii as both species were recorded at the place that it was photographed. The photo is not that good but several of the key features of the bird could indicate either species: white wing bars; white outer tail feathers; white nuchal collar; brown breast band although not clear if it circles the upper breast completely; dark bill.

Two other features however indicate that it is more likely to be a Kentish Plover: there is a small second bar on the upper breast which is shown in Collins Bird Guide but not in Birds of South East Asia; the legs look a dark grey greenish colour which suggests a juvenile Kentish.

The other bird standing in the water is a Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus.

Other opinions would be most welcome.

References: Robson, C. (2010) Birds of South-East Asia, page 106, New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd.; Svensson, L., Mullarney< k. and Zetterstrom, D. (2009) Collins Bird Guide 2nd Edition, page 140, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.