White-crowned Lapwing
A species of Lapwings, Also known as Black-shouldered Wattled Plover Scientific name : Vanellus albiceps Genus : Lapwings
White-crowned Lapwing, A species of Lapwings
Also known as:
Black-shouldered Wattled Plover
Botanical name: Vanellus albiceps
Genus: Lapwings
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Bernard DUPONT , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
This lapwing is unmistakable. Its wings and tail are strikingly patterned in black and white, the back is brown and the underparts white. The head is particularly striking, being mainly grey, but with a white crown and foreneck. The eyering, facial wattles and legs are yellow. Females, males and young birds are similar in plumage.
Size
32 cm
Feeding Habits
White-crowned Lapwing consumes beetles, ants, mantids, wasps, worms, molluscs, crustaceans, and small fish, with occasional vegetable matter. Forages in pairs or small groups, using diverse hunting techniques. Displays unique dietary breadth among lapwings.
Habitat
White-crowned Lapwing primarily inhabits environments along substantial rivers with prominent sandbanks or islands. Their favored territories include open areas and adjacent woodlands. They adapt to alternate freshwater locales such as streams, pans, and lagoons, particularly during flooding events. White-crowned Lapwing is typically associated with broad geographic regions where these habitats occur.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Behavior
It is a wader which breeds on exposed sand or shingle near rivers. 2–3 eggs are laid in a ground scrape. The nest and young are defended noisily and aggressively against all intruders, up to and including the hippopotamus. Food is mainly insects and other small invertebrates. This species often feeds in small flocks when not breeding.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By Bernard DUPONT , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Shorebirds Family
Plovers Genus
Lapwings Species
White-crowned Lapwing