Sociable Lapwing
Image: Wa'el Almatni (cc-by-nc)
NameSociable Lapwing
Common NameSociable Lapwing
Scientific NameVanellus gregarius
FamilyCharadriidae
Wingspan (cm)70
Length (cm)29
Weight (g)200
Plumage DetailsAdults have sandy-brown upperparts, a white belly, and a striking head pattern with a black crown, white supercilium, and dark eye-stripe. Breeding adults develop a chestnut patch on the lower belly and undertail coverts, while juveniles are duller with streaked underparts.
Vocalization / CallIts calls are typically harsh, grating, and somewhat nasal, often described as 'kree-kree' or 'kvit-kvit', sometimes given in flight or as an alarm call.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, steppe, agricultural land, semi-desert
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeBreeds in the steppes of central Asia, primarily Kazakhstan and Russia, migrating south to winter in parts of the Middle East (e.g., Iraq, Saudi Arabia), northeast Africa (e.g., Sudan, Eritrea), and India.
Identifying Featuresblack crown with white supercilium, sandy-brown upperparts, white belly, black primary flight feathers (visible in flight), long dark legs
Description
The Sociable Lapwing is a medium-sized migratory wader characterized by its distinctive head pattern and upright posture. It typically forages in open, short-grass habitats, often in flocks, searching for invertebrates.
