Saint Helena plover

The Saint Helena plover (Charadrius sanctaehelenae), locally known as the wirebird due to its thin legs, is a small wader endemic to the island of Saint Helena in the mid-Atlantic. The bird is similar in appearance to the Kittlitz's plover of sub-Saharan Africa, but is rather larger. It is the national bird of St Helena and has been depicted on the country's coins. Populations in general have been declining. Threats include predation by cats, the introduction of the common myna, reforestation, off-road vehicle use, a planned airport and a projected windfarm. A 1989 survey estimated there were 450 adult birds, but by 2006, only 200 adults were thought to exist. As a result, the bird is rated as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.