Bird Guide

Blacksmith Lapwing vs Spur-winged Lapwing

Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus)

Blacksmith Lapwing

Vanellus armatus

Medium156 gWetland

Blacksmith lapwings are very boldly patterned in black, grey and white, possibly warning colours to predators. It is one of five lapwing species (two African, one Asian and two Neotropical) that share the characteristics of red eyes and a bold pied plumage, with a carpal (wing) spur adorning the wrist joint; a sharp black protrusion which they use to aggressively defend their young from potential threats, through persistent aerial dives typically targeting the head.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Diego Rubolini · CC BY 4.0
Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus)

Spur-winged Lapwing

Vanellus spinosus

Medium188 gWetland

The spur-winged lapwing is a medium-large wader with a black crown, chest, foreneck stripe and tail. The face, the rest of the neck and belly are white and the wings and back are light brown. The bill and legs are black. It has a loud did-he-do-it call. The bird's common name refers to a small claw or spur hidden in each of its wings.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Jon Paul Rodríguez · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Blacksmith Lapwing and Spur-winged Lapwing.