Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Senegal Lapwing
Vanellus lugubris
Senegal Lapwing (Vanellus lugubris) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Senegal Lapwing (Vanellus lugubris) is a member of the Charadriidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 122 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Charadriidae Plovers
- Genus Vanellus
- Species lugubris
Where it lives
Inland southern Guinea and southern Mali to western Nigeria; Gabon south to west-central Angola, east to northeastern Kenya, south to far northeastern South Africa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 122 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Charadriidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Senegal Lapwing is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Senegal Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Senegal Lapwing (Vanellus lugubris) is a member of the Charadriidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF inland s Guinea and s Mali to w Nigeria; Gabon s to wc Angola, e to ne Kenya, s to far ne South Africa.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 122 g, with a wing length of about 17.2 cm and a tail of around 6.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Senegal Lapwing?
The Senegal Lapwing is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 122 g.
Where does the Senegal Lapwing live?
The Senegal Lapwing is found across Africa with a range covering AF inland s Guinea and s Mali to w Nigeria; Gabon s to wc Angola, e to ne Kenya, s to far ne South Africa, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Senegal Lapwing belong to?
The Senegal Lapwing (Vanellus lugubris) belongs to the Charadriidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Senegal Lapwing eat?
The Senegal Lapwing is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Senegal Lapwing migrate?
The Senegal Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Senegal Lapwing endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Senegal Lapwing make?
1 real field recording of the Senegal Lapwing — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Senegal Lapwing's range?
The Senegal Lapwing has a mapped global range of about 3.5 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Charadriidae
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
More in Shorebirds
Not Evaluated
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern