Spur-winged LapwingVanellus spinosusWhere and when to see them

The Spur-winged Lapwing is a boldly patterned wader in the plover family, Charadriidae. It occurs across much of sub-Saharan Africa and extends through northeastern Africa into parts of the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Along the Nile, it inhabits open river margins, islands and nearby agricultural land. Its contrasting plumage and sharp calls make it a distinctive bird of waterside excursions.

Size

25 to 28 cm in length

Weight

127 to 162 g

Lifespan

Not well documented in the wild.

Status

Least Concern

Spur-winged Lapwings are often seen in pairs or small groups, with larger gatherings sometimes forming at suitable feeding sites. They forage on foot, alternating short runs with pauses to scan the ground. They can be active by day and at night. During breeding, pairs vigorously defend their nesting territory with loud calls and aerial attacks on intruders. The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground, sometimes lined with small pieces of vegetation or other material. Both parents incubate the eggs and guard the young. Chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and feed themselves under parental supervision.

• Its name refers to a small, pointed spur at the bend of each wing.
• It belongs to the plover family rather than the sandpiper family.
• Its downy chicks can walk and feed themselves soon after hatching.
• It can forage at night as well as during daylight.

Wildlife opportunities depend on the river reach, water levels and species. River-specific viewing months have not been confirmed; general species seasons are not a local sighting forecast.

This species favours open ground beside freshwater, including riverbanks, lakeshores, marsh edges and floodplains. Along the Nile, exposed mud, sandy margins and low islands provide suitable places to feed and rest. It also uses irrigated fields, wet pasture and other cultivated land near water. Short vegetation and bare patches are important because they allow birds to spot prey and approaching threats. Local distribution can change as water levels expose or inundate feeding and nesting areas.

The diet consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates. Beetles, ants, flies and their larvae are among the prey taken. It also eats worms, molluscs and small crustaceans when available. Most food is picked from the ground, soft mud or the edges of shallow water.

Common name

Spur-winged Lapwing

Scientific name

Vanellus spinosus

Animal group

Birds

Size

25 to 28 cm in length

Weight

127 to 162 g

Lifespan

Not well documented in the wild.

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Look for a medium-sized, upright wader with a black crown, throat and breast, white cheeks and neck sides, and sandy-brown upperparts. The belly is black, contrasting with white areas on the underparts. Long dark legs, a straight black bill and a bold black-and-white wing pattern in flight help confirm identification. Males and females look similar, and the small spur at the bend of each wing is usually difficult to see in the field.