Banded Lapwing
A species of Lapwings Scientific name : Vanellus tricolor Genus : Lapwings
Banded Lapwing, A species of Lapwings
Botanical name: Vanellus tricolor
Genus: Lapwings
Content
Description General Info
Description
The banded lapwing is a medium-sized shorebird with short dark purplish legs and a dull red tibia. They range from 25 cm to 29 cm in length and weigh on average 190 grams. They have an upright stance and a slow walk, breaking into a faster trot when alarmed. The bill is a pale yellow with a black tip and a small red wattle lies at the base. The red wattle and wing spurs are more prominent in males than females. Banded lapwings are characterised by a black cap, a white throat and underparts, white eye stripes and a black breast band extending up each side of its neck to its face. The irises are bright yellow. They fly quick, clipped wing beats, giving them the name 'lapwing'. The young range from 22 cm to 25.5 cm in length and weigh between 124-133 grams. Juvenile plumage is similar to that of the adults, however the crown, nape, sides of neck and breast is mottled dark brown and the feathers of the upper parts are tan. 
Size
29 cm
Feeding Habits
Banded Lapwing forages day and night in short-grass areas, consuming seeds, insects (worms, ants, termites, beetles, cockroaches, grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars), displaying versatile dietary habits with no unique preferences highlighted.
Habitat
Banded Lapwing thrive in open grasslands, including heavily grazed paddocks, agricultural lands, and areas with sparse vegetation such as airfields and ploughed fields. They exhibit a preference for habitats like open savannas and saltbush plains within semi-arid inland regions, rather than dense Acacia scrublands, which they tend to avoid. Although banded Lapwing are not closely associated with wetlands, they are adaptable and can live at a distance from water sources. Human-altered landscapes, such as those cleared for agriculture in certain regions, may have inadvertently benefited the species. They typically form small flocks and display nomadic behavior outside the breeding season, with their movement patterns being responsive to seasonal environmental conditions.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
Banded lapwings are endemic to Australia and found throughout the mainland and Tasmania. They are rarely found in northern Australia and are uncommon in most coastal areas and they are not dependent on wetlands and may live far away from water. Banded lapwings prefer open plains and short grassland areas such as heavily grazed paddocks, agricultural lands and recently germinated cereal crops most commonly found inland and pastures of coastal and inland regions. It avoids Acacia scrub areas, except where these have become more open due to overgrazing. The species has probably benefited from the clearing of forest and woodlands in southern Australia for agriculture. Outside the breeding season, banded lapwings gather in small flocks and are nomadic. Its movements from one area to another is influenced by seasonal conditions. Records from the Atlas of Victorian Birds state the banded lapwing is most frequently reported in Victoria during Spring and Winter suggesting that in Victoria they breed when rainfall is highest.
Species Status
Conservation of banded lapwings will be dependent on appropriate management of farm and pastoral lands as it exploits a variety of open habitats and agricultural land however, there are no immediate or serious threats to its future survival.
Scientific Classification
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