Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Shorebirds

Blacksmith Lapwing

Vanellus armatus

Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Spain Birds of Kenya Birds of Tanzania Birds of South Africa

By family

Plovers of Spain Plovers of Kenya Plovers of Tanzania Plovers of South Africa

See what's near you right now

The Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus) is a member of the Charadriidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 156 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 armatus

Where it lives

Inland west-central Angola to south-central Kenya and south to South Africa

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 156 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Charadriidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Blacksmith Lapwing hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

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

The Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus) belongs to the Charadriidae family of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF inland wc Angola to sc Kenya and s to South Africa.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 156 g, with a wing length of about 20.4 cm and a tail of around 7.9 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 5.7 million km².

Songs & calls

Blacksmith Lapwing — Call

Recorded by Magnus Wadstein Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Blacksmith Lapwing?

The Blacksmith Lapwing is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 156 g.

Where does the Blacksmith Lapwing live?

The Blacksmith Lapwing is found across Africa with a range covering AF inland wc Angola to sc Kenya and s to South Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Blacksmith Lapwing belong to?

The Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus) belongs to the Charadriidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Blacksmith Lapwing eat?

The Blacksmith Lapwing hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Blacksmith Lapwing migrate?

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

Is the Blacksmith 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 Blacksmith Lapwing make?

1 real field recording of the Blacksmith 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 Blacksmith Lapwing's range?

The Blacksmith Lapwing has a mapped global range of about 5.7 million km².