Spur-Winged Lapwing

ORDER: Ciconiiformes

FAMILY: Charadriidae

GENUS: Vanellus

SPECIES: spinosis

DESCRIPTION:

Crown, crest and nape black extending down sides of face to just below the eye. Lower part of face, sides of neck and a triangular patch on either side of upper breast white, broad black band from chin to upper breast joining black of lower breast, flanks and belly. Upper tail coverts white, tail white with black on terminal half. Small spur at bend of wing, bill black. Legs and feet brown or reddish black. The sexes are alike.

GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE AND HABITAT:

Essentially an African species from Senegal in the west to northern Kenya, but also occurs in Turkey and Syria and even in Greece and Bulgaria. Frequents muddy areas along the coast and around lakes. Also favors shingle beds and sand banks.

DIET:

Mostly insects, crustaceans and worms, but will take frogs and tadpoles.

LIFE CYCLE/SOCIAL STRUCTURE:

Usually found in pairs or small groups. Nests from April to August in Africa and March to September around the Eastern Mediterranean and in West Africa. Has a complex courtship display featuring its pied pattern and wing spurs. Nest is a simple scrape on a sand or shingle bank. Lays 3 to 4 eggs which are olive or yellowish spotted with brown or black. Both sexes incubate for 22-24 days, and the chicks are brooded for about three weeks

SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS:

Eggs are well camouflaged to blend in with their surroundings.

INTERPRETIVE INFORMATION::

Birds may wet their belly feathers before starting to incubate as a temperature and humidity control.

OUR ANIMALS:

1 Male.

STATUS IN THE WILD:

Appears to be expanding its range. Not endangered.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Heyman, Peter, John Marchant and Tony Prater. 1986. Shorebirds: An Identification Guide to the Waders of the World. 1981. Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
2. Johnsgard, Paul A. The Plovers, Sandpipers, and Snipes of the World. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln.
3. Soothill, Eric and Richard. 1982. Wading Birds of the World. Blandford Press, Poole, Dorset.