Vanellus armatus (Burchell, 1822)

Scientific Name and Common Name

Vanellus armatus, commonly called blacksmith lapwings, have a very bold, contrasting plumage pattern in black, grey, and white, which may act as a warning color to predators.

Related Lapwing Species

It is one of five lapwing species (two African, one Asian, two Neotropical) that share red eyes, bold pied plumage, and a carpal spur on the wrist joint.

Carpal Spur Function

This spur is a sharp black protrusion that the birds use to aggressively defend their young from potential threats, by carrying out persistent aerial dives that usually target the head of the intruder.

Bare Part Coloration

The body parts of this bird not covered by feathers have an average black coloration on the bill, and legs that are either solid black or dappled with white and grey.

Sexual Dimorphism

Females are on average larger and heavier than males, but the two sexes are generally similar in appearance.

General Habitat Associations

Blacksmith lapwings live in association with wetlands of all sizes, and even very small damp areas created by spilled water from troughs can attract them.

South African Regional Abundance

In South Africa, they are most abundant in the mesic grassland region, and less common in higher-rainfall grasslands.

Rainfall-Driven Movement

Similar to the crowned lapwing, this species may leave Zambia and Zimbabwe in years with high rainfall, and return during dry years.

Habitat Avoidance

It avoids all types of mountains.

20th Century Range Expansion

During the 20th century, blacksmith lapwings expanded their range into areas where dams were built and intensive farming was practiced.

Western Cape Colonization

As a result, they are now numerous and established in the Western Cape region of South Africa, an area where they were absent until the 1930s.

Western Cape Winter Habitat Use

In this region, they also move into estuarine mud flats during winter, where they aggressively displace other wader species.

Migratory Patterns

While blacksmith lapwings are partially migratory, they do not appear to complete large-scale, regular migrations.

Breeding Season Aggression

During the breeding season, this species often reacts aggressively to other lapwings or African jacanas that enter its wetland habitat.

Nest Characteristics and Spacing

Their nests are shallow depressions built on bare ground or short grass, located close to water, and nests are typically spaced at least 400 meters apart.

Breeding Timing Flexibility

Blacksmith lapwings breed in spring, but their choice of nesting site and breeding timing can be opportunistic.

Juvenile Dispersal

Young birds separate gradually from their parents and do not return to their natal areas after leaving.

Diet

This lapwing feeds on both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.