Northern Lapwing

About

The Northern Lapwing is a medium-sized, distinctive wading bird known for its iridescent green-black upperparts, white underparts, and a prominent wispy crest. It is a common and widespread species across much of temperate Eurasia, often found in open agricultural land and wetlands.

Size & lifespan

Length

28-31 cm

Wingspan

67-72 cm

Weight

128-330 g

Lifespan

Up to 15 years in the wild, typically 5-10 years.

Diet

Insectivore, primarily feeding on invertebrates.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults have iridescent dark green-black upperparts with purple and bronze sheens, contrasting sharply with pure white underparts. The breast is black, and there is a long, wispy crest on the head. The face is white with a black stripe below the eye and a black throat. The undertail coverts are rufous-orange.

Beak shape

Relatively short, straight, and slender bill, black in color.

Eye color

Dark brown.

Leg color

Dull pinkish-brown to reddish-brown.

Distinguishing features

The most distinctive features are the long, wispy crest, the iridescent green-black upperparts, and the broad, rounded wings with slow, floppy wingbeats in flight. The rufous undertail coverts are also a key field mark.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble adults but have shorter crests, duller upperparts with buff fringes to the feathers (giving a scaly appearance), and less extensive black on the face and breast. The rufous undertail coverts are also duller.

Seasonal changes

Breeding plumage is as described for adults. In non-breeding plumage, the black on the face and throat may be slightly duller and more mottled with white, and the crest can appear less prominent. The iridescent sheen may also be less intense.

Sexual dimorphism

Males typically have a longer crest and a more extensive black throat and breast band, especially during the breeding season. Females have a slightly shorter crest and often show some white mottling on the black throat/breast, which can be less sharply defined.

How to identify

1. 1

   Crest

   Look for the long, thin, wispy crest extending from the back of the head. This is a key diagnostic feature.

2. 2

   Plumage Coloration

   Observe the striking contrast between the iridescent dark green-black upperparts (often appearing purple or bronze in good light) and the pure white underparts. Note the black breast band and rufous undertail coverts.

3. 3

   Wing Shape and Flight

   In flight, notice the broad, rounded wings and the characteristic slow, 'flappy' wingbeats. The white wing linings are also visible from below.

4. 4

   Call

   Listen for the distinctive, plaintive 'pee-wit' call, which is often given in flight or when disturbed.

5. 5

   Habitat

   Look for them in open, short-vegetation habitats such as agricultural fields, wet grasslands, and pastures.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Temperate grasslands, agricultural fields, wet meadows, marshes, floodplains, coastal mudflats, and open tundra.

Geographic range

Breeds across temperate Eurasia, from Ireland and the UK eastward through Europe and Russia to the Pacific coast. Winters in southern and western Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia including India and China.

Elevation range

Typically found from sea level up to around 1,000 meters, occasionally higher in some parts of its range.

Preferred environments

Prefers open, short-vegetation habitats, particularly arable land (ploughed fields, stubble), pastures, and wet grasslands. Often found near water bodies, especially during migration and winter.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, actively foraging during daylight hours. May also forage at night under moonlight or artificial light.

Feeding habits

Forages by walking slowly and picking invertebrates from the surface or just below the soil. Diet consists mainly of insects (beetles, flies, caterpillars, grasshoppers), earthworms, slugs, and snails. Occasionally takes small vertebrates or seeds.

Social behavior

Highly social outside the breeding season, forming large flocks, sometimes numbering thousands of individuals, especially during migration and winter. During breeding, they are territorial but may nest in loose colonies.

Flight pattern

Distinctive, slow, and floppy wingbeats, giving a 'flapping' appearance. In display flight, males perform spectacular aerial acrobatics, tumbling and diving, often accompanied by their characteristic calls.

Migration pattern

Mostly migratory, with northern and eastern populations moving south and west for the winter. Western European populations may be resident or undertake shorter movements. Migrates in large flocks, often at night.

Territoriality

During the breeding season, males establish and defend territories, often performing aerial displays to deter rivals and attract mates. They are highly protective of their nests and young, mobbing potential predators.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically March to July, varying geographically.

Nesting habits

Nests are shallow scrapes on the ground, often in open fields, sometimes lined with a few pieces of vegetation. Nests are usually well-camouflaged and often located in short grass or bare soil.

Clutch size

Typically 4 eggs.

Egg description

Usually 4 eggs, pear-shaped, olive-brown to buff with dark brown or black blotches and spots, providing excellent camouflage.

Incubation period

24-31 days, primarily by the female, though the male may assist.

Fledging period

Chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. They are able to fly at 35-40 days old.

Parental care

Both parents care for the young. Chicks are fed by parents initially but quickly learn to forage for themselves. Parents are highly protective, mobbing predators.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Scan Open Fields. Lapwings are often conspicuous in open fields. Use binoculars to scan large areas, especially after rain when earthworms are abundant.
2. Listen for Calls. Their 'pee-wit' call is very distinctive and often given before the bird is seen, especially during display flights.
3. Observe Flight Displays. During the breeding season, males perform spectacular aerial displays. Watching these can help locate breeding territories.
4. Look for Flocks in Winter. In winter, they gather in large flocks, often mixed with other waders or gulls, making them easier to spot.
5. Check Damp Areas. They prefer damp ground for foraging, so focus on areas near ditches, ponds, or recently flooded fields.

Similar species

Quick facts

Common Name:

Northern Lapwing

Scientific Name:

Vanellus vanellus

Family:

Charadriidae

Conservation Status:

Near Threatened

Key Feature:

Long crest, iridescent green-black upperparts, 'pee-wit' call

Habitat:

Open fields, wet grasslands, agricultural land

Diet:

Invertebrates (insects, earthworms)

Migration:

Mostly migratory

Fun facts

• The Northern Lapwing is also known as the 'Peewit' or 'Tee-wit' due to its distinctive call.
• Its scientific name 'Vanellus' is Latin for 'little fan', referring to its characteristic floppy flight.
• Lapwings are known for their elaborate aerial courtship displays, involving tumbling and swooping flights.
• They are excellent parents, fiercely defending their nests and chicks from predators, often mobbing much larger birds of prey.
• The rufous undertail coverts are a key identification feature, especially when the bird is seen from behind or in flight.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Charadriiformes

Family

Charadriidae

Genus

Vanellus

Species

Vanellus vanellus

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