Vanellus senegallus
The African Wattled Lapwing (*Vanellus senegallus*) is a striking and medium-large shorebird, measuring 31-35 cm in length with an approximate wingspan of 76 cm and weighing between 190-420 grams. Its most distinctive features are the large, fleshy, bright yellow facial wattles that hang prominently from the base of its robust red-and-yellow bill. The plumage is characterized by a black crown, white underparts, and a warm brown back and wings, with black primary and white secondary feathers v...
This lapwing primarily inhabits open grasslands, savannas, cultivated fields, and floodplains, often near wetlands or water sources, typically at elevations from sea level up to 2,000 meters.
Predominantly insectivorous, their diet consists mainly of beetles, grasshoppers, termites, ants, and worms, supplemented occasionally by small crustaceans and seeds, all gleaned from the ground.
African Wattled Lapwings are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging and often roosting communally or in family groups during cooler parts of the day or at night. Their foraging strategy involves walking deliberately through short vegetation, pausing to peck at the ground or probe shallowl...
The African Wattled Lapwing boasts a wide and stable distribution across much of sub-Saharan Africa. Its breeding range extends from Senegal and The Gambia in West Africa, eastward through the Sahel and Horn of Africa to Ethiopia, and then southwards through East Africa to Angola, Zambia, and int...
Least Concern
- The African Wattled Lapwing's prominent yellow wattles are not just for show; they can actually swell and change color during breeding season or when the bird is agitated, potentially signaling fitness or dominance. - Despite its relatively small size, this lapwing is renowned for its incredibl...