Grey-headed Lapwing

Overview

The Vanellus cinereus is a lapwing species that breeds in northeast China and Japan. The mainland population winters in northern Southeast Asia, while the Japanese population winters at least partially in southern Honshū.

Identification

• 34–37 cm long with a grey head and neck, a darker grey breast band, and a white belly.
• Brown back with a white rump and a black tail.
• Striking in flight, featuring black primaries, white underwings and upper wing secondaries, and brown upper wing coverts.
• Emits a sharp 'chee-it' call.

Habitat

Nests and winters in wet grassland, rice fields, and marshland edges. Occurs as a vagrant in Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and England.

Diet

Feeds in shallow water on a diet of insects, worms, and molluscs.

Did you know?

This species has been recorded as a vagrant in as far-flung locations as Sweden and England.