Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus
Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus) — 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 Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus) is a member of the Charadriidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 165 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 coronatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 165 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Charadriidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Crowned 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 Crowned Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus) is a member of the Charadriidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF inland ne to s Africa.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 165 g, with a wing length of about 19.7 cm and a tail of around 8.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 6.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Crowned Lapwing?
The Crowned Lapwing is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 165 g.
Where does the Crowned Lapwing live?
The Crowned Lapwing is found across Africa with a range covering AF inland ne to s Africa, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Crowned Lapwing belong to?
The Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus) belongs to the Charadriidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Crowned Lapwing eat?
The Crowned Lapwing is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Crowned Lapwing migrate?
The Crowned Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Crowned 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 Crowned Lapwing make?
1 real field recording of the Crowned 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 Crowned Lapwing's range?
The Crowned Lapwing has a mapped global range of about 6.8 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.
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