Vanellus cinereus (Blyth, 1842)

Size

The grey-headed lapwing, Vanellus cinereus, measures 34–37 cm in total length.

Adult Plumage (Head to Belly)

It has a grey head and neck, a darker grey breast band, and a white belly.

Adult Plumage (Back to Tail)

Its back is brown, its rump is white, and its tail is black.

Flight Appearance

This species is particularly noticeable when in flight: it has black primary flight feathers, white underwings and white upper wing secondaries, and brown upper wing coverts.

Sexual Dimorphism

Adult males and females have similar plumage, though males are slightly larger than females.

Juvenile Plumage

Juvenile grey-headed lapwings have grey-tinged white plumage, a less distinct breast band, and pale fringes on their upperpart and wing covert feathers.

Vocalization

The call of the grey-headed lapwing is a sharp chee-it.