Photo: KrisMaes / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

Spot-breasted Lapwing

Vanellus melanocephalus

Spot-breasted Lapwing (Vanellus melanocephalus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.

The Spot-breasted Lapwing (Vanellus melanocephalus) is a member of the Charadriidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 214 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Charadriidae Plovers
Genus Vanellus
Species melanocephalus

Where it lives

Montane north-central to south-central Ethiopia

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 214 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Charadriidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Spur-winged Lapwing

Vanellus spinosus

Critically Endangered

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Spot-breasted Lapwing hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Spot-breasted Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Spot-breasted Lapwing (Vanellus melanocephalus) is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane nc to sc Ethiopia.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 214 g, with a wing length of about 23.5 cm and a tail of around 8.8 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 180,000 km².

Songs & calls

Spot-breasted Lapwing — Call

Recorded by Hans Matheve Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Spot-breasted Lapwing?

The Spot-breasted Lapwing is a large bird that weighs around 214 g.

Where does the Spot-breasted Lapwing live?

The Spot-breasted Lapwing is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane nc to sc Ethiopia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Spot-breasted Lapwing belong to?

The Spot-breasted Lapwing (Vanellus melanocephalus) belongs to the Charadriidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Spot-breasted Lapwing eat?

The Spot-breasted Lapwing hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Spot-breasted Lapwing migrate?

The Spot-breasted Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Spot-breasted 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 Spot-breasted Lapwing make?

1 real field recording of the Spot-breasted 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 Spot-breasted Lapwing's range?

The Spot-breasted Lapwing has a mapped global range of about 180,000 km².