Spur-winged Lapwing

Vanellus spinosus

The Spur-winged Lapwing is a fun bird with black and white feathers and a special spur on its wings. It loves to run around in open areas and can be found near water, making it a lively sight to see!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Spur-winged Lapwing has a striking black crown, nape, breast, and tail, contrasted by a bright white belly and face patch. Its back and wings are brown, but it stands out with bright yellow legs and a sharp black spur on each wing bend.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyCharadriidaeGenusVanellus

Spur-winged Lapwing

Interesting facts

Baby lapwings can run and feed themselves just hours after hatching!

Their loud 'did-he-do-it' calls earned them a funny nickname!

They sometimes share their nests near crocodiles for extra protection!

This bird's black wing spurs look like tiny ninja blades!

Special abilities

Spur-winged Lapwing can use sharp, bony spurs on its wings to defend its nest and young from predators.

Spur-winged Lapwing can create a loud, piercing call that acts as a warning system for other birds nearby.

Spur-winged Lapwing has long legs that help it run quickly across open ground while searching for food.

Measurements & details

Length: 25-28 cm
Wingspan: 60-65 cm
Weight: 0.095-0.15 kg
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Clutch Size: 2-4
Incubation: 22-24 days

Diet & Feeding

They mostly munch on insects and other tiny creatures found in damp places.

Age differences: Young birds eat similar foods to adults but require more protein for rapid growth.

Primary Foods

Insects
Insect larvae
Worms
Snails
Small crustaceans

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Nile Crocodile

Crocodylus niloticus

Crocodiles might predate on eggs or unwary adults.

eaten by

African Harrier-Hawk

Polyboroides typus

This raptor preys on eggs and chicks from ground nests.

hunts

Mediterranean Field Cricket

Gryllus bimaculatus

Lapwings hunt this common cricket from the ground.

hunts

Common Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

They forage for these worms in damp soil.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

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.