Photo: Patty McGann / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Andean Lapwing
Vanellus resplendens
Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of South America.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens) is a member of the Charadriidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 214 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 resplendens
Where it lives
Montane west-central Colombia to northeastern Chile and northwestern Argentina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 214 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Charadriidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Andean 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 Andean Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens) belongs to the Charadriidae family of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA montane wc Colombia to ne Chile and nw Argentina.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 214 g, with a wing length of about 21.8 cm and a tail of around 9.9 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 735,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Andean Lapwing?
The Andean Lapwing is a large bird that weighs around 214 g.
Where does the Andean Lapwing live?
The Andean Lapwing is found across South America with a range covering SA montane wc Colombia to ne Chile and nw Argentina, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Andean Lapwing belong to?
The Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens) belongs to the Charadriidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Andean Lapwing eat?
The Andean Lapwing is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Andean Lapwing migrate?
The Andean Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Andean 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 Andean Lapwing make?
1 real field recording of the Andean Lapwing — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Andean Lapwing's range?
The Andean Lapwing has a mapped global range of about 735,000 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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