Northern Lapwing
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus
At a Glance
Lapwings are large plovers, often with crests, and various kinds are found in most parts of the world except North America. They are often more at home in open fields than on shorelines. The Northern Lapwing is common in Europe and Asia; it rarely wanders to eastern Canada or the northeastern United States. Such strays usually occur singly, but on a few occasions, major winter storms have brought small invasions.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Plovers, Sandpiper-like Birds
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Saltwater Wetlands
Region
Eastern Canada
Behavior
Direct Flight, Running, Walking
Range & Identification
Description
Sexes similar — Length: 11-13 in (28-33 cm); wingspan: 2 ft 2 in-2 ft 6 in (67-76 cm); weight: 6.7-11.3 oz (190-320 g). The Northern Lapwing has a striking pattern with greenish back, black chest, long thin crest. In flight, it shows white tips on broad, rounded wings.
Size
About the size of a Crow, About the size of a Robin
Color
Black, Brown, Green, White
Wing Shape
Broad, Rounded
Tail Shape
Short
Songs and Calls
Flight note a thin, whistled pee-wit.
Call Pattern
Undulating
Call Type
Whistle
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