Bird Guide

Northern Lapwing vs Southern Lapwing

Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellus

Medium218 gWetland

The northern lapwing is a 28–33 cm (11–13 in) long bird with a 67–87 cm (26–34 in) wingspan and a body mass of 128–330 g (4.5–11.6 oz). It has rounded wings and a crest. It is also the shortest-legged of the lapwings. Its plumage is mainly black and white, but its back is tinted green. The male has a long crest and a black crown, throat and breast, which contrast with an otherwise white face. Females and young birds have shorter crests and less distinct markings on their heads, but their plumage is otherwise quite similar.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Philippe_Grange · CC0
Photo: Jules Reppert · CC BY 4.0
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Large327 gGrassland

This lapwing is the only crested wader in South America. It is 32 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) in length and weighs approximately 250 to 425 g (8.8 to 15.0 oz). The upperparts are mainly brownish grey, with a bronze glossing on the shoulders. The head is particularly striking; mainly grey with a black forehead and throat patch extending onto the black breast. A white border separates the black of the face from the grey of the head and crest. The rest of the underparts are white and the eye ring, legs, and most of the bill are pink.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Francisco Javier Argel from Valdivia, Chile · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Northern Lapwing and Southern Lapwing.