Black-winged Lapwing

Overview

The black-winged lapwing (Vanellus melanopterus), also known as the black-winged plover, is an east African wader classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is a habitat specialist that thrives in well-watered temperate grasslands with short grass.

Identification

• Grey head and neck separated from the white underside by a distinct black breast band.
• Brown wing coverts contrasted by a prominent white wingbar bordered by black remiges in flight.
• Features a variable but prominent white forehead patch.

Habitat

Found in the Ethiopian highlands to central Kenya and at middle to coastal elevations in eastern South Africa. It is a specialist of short grass in well-watered temperate grasslands, often moving locally to find ideal conditions.

Diet

This species hunts on the ground, feeding primarily on termites, which constitute a large part of its diet, alongside tenebrionid beetles and ants. Feeding territories of less than one hectare are defended by small groups, though large non-territorial flocks form when ample habitat is available.

Did you know?

Adults take turns incubating eggs in shifts of about 90 minutes, periodically adding insulating nest lining to keep the eggs half buried. Leg colour visibly brightens during the spring breeding season.