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Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellus

Near Threatened (IUCN Red List)Plovers and Lapwings
Northern Lapwing, photographed by Andreas Trepte

Photo: Andreas Trepte · Wikimedia · CC-BY-SA 2.5 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Northern Lapwing

A handsome and striking large wader (shorebird) with long wispy crest. Fairly common in open habitats, from grassland and farmland to wetlands, and locally on coastal mudflats. Declining in some areas with land-use changes. Forms flocks from late summer through winter, locally in hundreds or even thousands. Boldly patterned plumage looks black and white overall, but back shows green gloss in good light. Flies with deep, rather floppy wingbeats and dives steeply in breeding display; wingtips notably broad and rounded, not pointed like most waders.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 107 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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