Crowned Lapwing

Overview

The crowned lapwing (Vanellus coronatus), also known as the crowned plover or kiewiet, is an adaptable and numerous bird of the lapwing subfamily. It is characterised by its bold and noisy habits and is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Brown and white plumage featuring a distinctive black crown intersected by an annular white halo.
• Males are on average 3% larger than females.
• Juveniles appear as duller versions of adults with vermiculated wings and mantle, yellowy legs instead of red, and a bill lacking the red base.
• Adults are described as noisy and conspicuous.

Habitat

Occurs contiguously from the Red Sea coast of Somalia to southern and southwestern Africa, preferring short, dry grassland that may be overgrazed or burnt while avoiding mountains. In higher-rainfall areas, they are mainly dry-season visitors, but in the dry central Kalahari region, they reach their highest concentrations. The species is the most widespread lapwing in its distribution range, having increased in numbers in the latter part of the 20th century.

Diet

The diet consists of a variety of insects, with termites and ants forming an important component often extracted from the dung of large mammals. Foraging is conducted mainly by surface pecking rather than digging.

Did you know?

Mates may be retained for life, and in the event of a territorial dispute between males, the loser assumes a special posture to signal his defeat.