Mystery plover?

unknown ploverHaving been seen almost 2 years ago in the same general area around the Sabie river on the low water bridge where I took the photo to the infamous Lake panic bird hide, , I am almost 100 % sure that this is the same mystery individual. The certainty of exactly what this plover really is, cannot be solidly proven by appearance. However we can break it down as to what it could be! The plover more than likely cannot be a juvenile blacksmith lapwing as there has been no plumage change for some time. Clearly having partial leucism ( a lack of pigmentation)  the bird becomes even more difficult to id. In doing a bit of research I have come across a report of the bird, having been looked at in detail by some of the countries top birders, and the interesting and unusual conclusion is that it is a HYBRID BETWEEN A WHITE CROWNED AND A BLACKSMITH LAPWING. This was confiremd by the fact that someone had actually photogrraphed the pair with their chicks so it is a definate conclusion that this is the case. Thanks to Trevor Hardaker for the help on cracking the mystery on this plover.

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