Banded Lapwing

Images ©:
Bob Winters | Bob Winters

Vanellus tricolor

Large plover, up to 29 cm. Upperparts are mainly grey-brown. White underparts. Yellow eye-ring. Small red wattle over the bill. Legs are pinkish-grey. Slow walk, breaking into a faster trot when alarmed. They fly with quick, clipped wing-beats - giving them the name 'lapwing'.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Plover
Biology

Breeding season: July to November, however varies with rainfall. Clutch size is three to four.

Distinctive Markings

Broad black breast band and white throat. Black cap. Broad white eye-stripe.

Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Charadriidae
Genus
Vanellus
Species
tricolor

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

The Banded Lapwing uses foot-tapping to disturb insects from cover, running to catch anything that moves.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Carnivore. Feeds on insects, worms, spiders and molluscs (snails and slugs).

Habitat

Found in open, short grassland such as heavily grazed paddocks, agricultural lands and saline herblands in dry and semi-arid areas.

Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Sounds
Loud strident calls when alarmed or for contact - a plaintive three-note call, descending in pitch "a-chee-chee-chee".