Apenisa Waqairadovu 
Supplied
The people of Avea in Vanuabalavu have made a rare discovery after finding a Masked Lapwing on the island.
A video shared on social media shows a boy holding the bird, while a man explains that it is the first time they have seen the species there.
FBC News has identified the bird as a Masked Lapwing, scientifically known as Vanellus miles.
The bird is native to Australia and is also found in New Guinea, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Indonesia.
It is easily recognised by its bright yellow facial wattles and is known for aggressively protecting its nest and chicks by swooping at intruders.
Masked Lapwings mainly feed on insects, larvae and earthworms and are commonly found around open grasslands, wetlands and coastal areas.
The sighting comes as Avea takes on new significance, having recently become one of the latest islands returned to its customary owners under the Government’s land buy-back scheme, after almost 200 years.
It remains unclear how the bird ended up in Avea, making the unusual sighting a talking point for the local community.
