# Blacksmith Lapwing (*Vanellus armatus*) The Blacksmith Lapwing is a striking bird with black and white feathers and a loud call. They are known for their unique behavior of pretending to be hurt to distract predators away from their nests. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Blacksmith Plover ![Blacksmith Lapwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Blacksmith_Lapwing_%28Vanellus_armatus%29_%286035460183%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blacksmith_Lapwing_%28Vanellus_armatus%29_%286035460183%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Blacksmith Lapwing has striking black and white plumage with a grey back. Its head, neck, and breast are black, contrasting sharply with a pure white belly. It features a short black bill, red eyes, and long black legs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Charadriidae - **Genus:** Vanellus ## Interesting facts - Its call sounds like a hammer hitting metal, earning its 'Blacksmith' name! - Mom and Dad Lapwing take turns incubating eggs, sharing all the hard work! - They have sharp wing spurs, like tiny daggers, to fight off enemies! - They often nest on open ground, relying on camouflage to hide their eggs. ## Special abilities - **Winged Defender:** Blacksmith Lapwing has sharp spurs on its wings that help them bravely fight off predators threatening their nests. - **Clever Decoy:** Blacksmith Lapwing can fake an injury because of their smart acting skills that lure danger away from their hidden chicks. - **Metallic Alarm:** Blacksmith Lapwing can make loud, ringing 'klink' calls because of their unique voice that warns everyone of approaching threats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 28-31 cm - **Wingspan:** 65-75 cm - **Weight:** 0.14-0.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-4 - **Incubation:** 26-32 days ## Diet & Feeding These birds primarily feast on various insects and small invertebrates they find on the ground. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, grasshoppers, ants, termites, worms, grubs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Jackal Buzzard (*Buteo rufofuscus*) — Adults and chicks can be prey for this large raptor. - **Eaten by:** [Banded Mongoose](https://www.snappit.app/explore/banded-mongoose) (*Mungos mungo*) — Mongooses sometimes raid nests for eggs or young chicks. - **Eats:** Natal Snouted Termite (*Macrotermes natalensis*) — They actively forage for these termites on damp ground. - **Eats:** [Migratory Locust](https://www.snappit.app/explore/migratory-locust) (*Locusta migratoria*) — These birds help control populations of various grasshoppers. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a bird acting hurt, it might be protecting its nest. Stay back and watch quietly. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blacksmith Lapwing? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Blacksmith Lapwing? 28-31 cm ### What is Blacksmith Lapwing's wingspan? 65-75 cm ### How much does Blacksmith Lapwing weigh? 0.14-0.2 kg ### How long does Blacksmith Lapwing live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Blacksmith Lapwing move? 60 km/h ### What does Blacksmith Lapwing eat? These birds primarily feast on various insects and small invertebrates they find on the ground. ### Where is Blacksmith Lapwing usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Tierpark Hamm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hamm) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Blacksmith Lapwing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blacksmith-lapwing)