Bird Guide

Grey-headed Lapwing

Vanellus cinereus

Least ConcernInvertebratesWetlandScrapeMedium · 270 g

About the Grey-headed Lapwing

The grey-headed lapwing is a lapwing species which breeds in northeast China and Japan. The mainland population winters in northern Southeast Asia from northeastern India to Cambodia. The Japanese population winters, at least partially, in southern Honshū.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The grey-headed lapwing is 34–37 cm long. It has a grey head and neck, darker grey breast band and white belly. The back is brown, the rump is white and the tail is black. This is a striking species in flight, with black primaries, white under wings and upper wing secondaries, and brown upper wing coverts. Adults of both sexes are similarly plumaged, but males are slightly larger than females. Young birds have the white areas of plumage tinged with grey, a less distinct breast band, and pale fringes to the upperpart and wing covert feathers.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Grey-headed Lapwing lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Australia, Netherlands, Indonesia.

When to see the Grey-headed Lapwing

Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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