About the Masked Lapwing
The masked lapwing is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea. It spends most of its time on the ground searching for food such as insects and worms and has several distinctive calls. It is common in Australian fields, open land and where there is lots of water, and is known for its defensive swooping behaviour during the nesting season.
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ID tip
The masked lapwing is the largest representative of the family Charadriidae. It measures from 30 to 37 cm (12 to 15 in) in length and has a wingspan of 75–85 cm (30–33 in), and has a conspicuous yellow spur on the carpal joint of each wing. The nominate subspecies (V. m. miles) weighs 191–300 g (6.7–10.6 oz), while the southern race (V. m. novaehollandiae) is larger and weighs 296–412 g (10.4–14.5 oz). The subspecies from northern Australia and New Guinea (V. m. miles) has an all-white neck and large yellow wattles, with the male having a distinctive mask and larger wattles.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Germany, Belgium, Spain, American Samoa, Italy.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Southern LapwingVanellus chilensisThis lapwing is the only crested wader in South America.
Red-wattled LapwingVanellus indicusRed-wattled lapwings are large waders, about 35 cm (14 in) long.
Blacksmith LapwingVanellus armatusBlacksmith lapwings are very boldly patterned in black, grey and white, possibly warning colours to predators.
Side by side: Masked Lapwing vs Northern Lapwing · Masked Lapwing vs Southern Lapwing · Masked Lapwing vs Red-wattled Lapwing · Blacksmith Lapwing vs Masked Lapwing
Learn the Masked Lapwing for real
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