Hi Deborah,
The reason the Double-bandeds are in breeding plumage and the Godwits, Tattlers
etc aren't is very simple: whereas the latter are trans-equatorial migrants,
breeding in the northern summer (i.e. now) Double-banded Plovers are
trans-Tasman migrants breeding in New Zealand. Generally the first birds start
to trickle into Australia in March, start to colour up about now then take off
back to NZ. The ones you see in breeding plumage I imagine will be first to
leave.
As for why the northern hemisphere waders overwintering in Australia aren't in
breeding plumage: mostly these are juvenile birds, and those that aren't are
non-breeders, so have no biological need to colour up.
Cheers
Andrew
==============================www.birding-aus.org
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