Banded Lapwing.
Photo: Purnell Collection © Australian Museum
Banded Lapwing.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Banded Lapwing on nest.
Photo: Purnell Collection © Australian Museum
Banded Lapwing.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Distribution map of Vanellus tricolor
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Banded Lapwing
Scientific name: Vanellus tricolor
Family: Charadriidae
Order: Ciconiiformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Shore birds and waders
What does it look like?
Description
The Banded Lapwing is a large plover with a broad black breast band and white throat. The upperparts are mainly grey-brown with white underparts. There is a black cap and broad white eye-stripe, with a yellow eye-ring and bill and a small red wattle over the bill. The legs are pinkish-grey. These lapwings have an upright stance and a slow walk, breaking into a faster trot when alarmed. They fly with quick, clipped wing-beats - giving them the name 'lapwing'.
Similar species
The Banded Lapwing is much smaller than the Masked Lapwing, Vanellus miles, with a longer tail and shorter legs. The u-shaped breast band is diagnostic.
Where does it live?
Distribution
Banded Lapwings are endemic to (found only in) Australia in the east, south and west of the mainland and in Tasmania. They are rarely found in northern Australia.
Habitat
Banded Lapwings prefer open, short grasslands such as heavily grazed paddocks, agricultural lands and saline herblands in dry and semi-arid regions.
Seasonal movements
Banded Lapwings are nomadic, flying considerable distances at night to find suitable conditions of food and water.
What does it do?
Feeding
Banded Lapwings chase insects with short runs and darts and may eat seeds in dry times. They prefer areas with very short grass, to find insects, worms, spiders and molluscs (snails and slugs).Breeding
Banded Lapwings need rain before breeding. The nest is a scrape on the ground, lined with dry grass and even sheep droppings. The eggs and chicks are speckled and well-camouflaged. They freeze and keep quite still at sign of danger. The parents defend their nest and young with great courage and will fly at human intruders, often with a distraction display, pretending to drag a broken wing.
Living with us
Living with humans
Habitat has been increased by the clearing of woodland and converting land to agriculture, although improved pasture, with longer grass, is less suitable for the Banded Lapwings.
References
Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (eds) 1993. Handbook of Australian New Zealand And Antartic Birds Vol. 2: (Raptors To Lapwings). Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Pringle, J.D. 1987. The Shorebirds of Australia. Angus and Robertson and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Morcombe, M. 2000. Field guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing.