Photo: Chris Eason from London / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-crowned Lapwing
Vanellus albiceps
White-crowned Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps) — 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 White-crowned Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps) is a member of the Charadriidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 192 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 albiceps
Where it lives
Inland Senegal to Liberia and northern Angola, east to western South Sudan, northwestern Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia to Mozambique and northeastern South Africa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 192 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Charadriidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-crowned Lapwing hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The White-crowned Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-crowned Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps) belongs to the Charadriidae family of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF inland Senegal to Liberia and n Angola, e to w South Sudan, nw Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia to Mozambique and ne South Africa.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 192 g, with a wing length of about 21.9 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.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 7.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-crowned Lapwing?
The White-crowned Lapwing is a large bird that weighs around 192 g.
Where does the White-crowned Lapwing live?
The White-crowned Lapwing is found across Africa with a range covering AF inland Senegal to Liberia and n Angola, e to w South Sudan, nw Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia to Mozambique and ne South Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the White-crowned Lapwing belong to?
The White-crowned Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps) belongs to the Charadriidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the White-crowned Lapwing eat?
The White-crowned Lapwing hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the White-crowned Lapwing migrate?
The White-crowned Lapwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-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 White-crowned Lapwing make?
1 real field recording of the White-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 White-crowned Lapwing's range?
The White-crowned Lapwing has a mapped global range of about 7.6 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.
Explore more birds
More in Charadriidae
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
More in Shorebirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Endangered