Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Brown-chested Lapwing
Vanellus superciliosus
Brown-chested Lapwing (Vanellus superciliosus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Brown-chested Lapwing (Vanellus superciliosus) is a member of the Charadriidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 150 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 superciliosus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 150 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 Brown-chested 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 Brown-chested Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Brown-chested Lapwing (Vanellus superciliosus) is a member of the Charadriidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF inland Nigeria to n DR Congo.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 150 g, with a wing length of about 18.3 cm and a tail of around 7.1 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 753,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Brown-chested Lapwing?
The Brown-chested Lapwing is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 150 g.
Where does the Brown-chested Lapwing live?
The Brown-chested Lapwing is found across Africa with a range covering AF inland Nigeria to n DR Congo, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Brown-chested Lapwing belong to?
The Brown-chested Lapwing (Vanellus superciliosus) belongs to the Charadriidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Brown-chested Lapwing eat?
The Brown-chested Lapwing is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Brown-chested Lapwing migrate?
The Brown-chested Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Brown-chested 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.
How large is the Brown-chested Lapwing's range?
The Brown-chested Lapwing has a mapped global range of about 753,000 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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