Vanellus senegallus (Linnaeus, 1766)

Common and Scientific Names

The African wattled lapwing, whose scientific name is Vanellus senegallus, is also called the Senegal wattled plover or just wattled lapwing.

Taxonomic Classification

It is a large lapwing, belonging to the group of moderately large wading birds in the plover family Charadriidae.

Distribution and Movement

It is a resident breeding species across most of sub-Saharan Africa, excluding rainforest regions, though it makes seasonal movements.

Identifiability

These birds are conspicuous and easy to identify.

Plumage and Facial Features

They are large brown waders with a black crown, white forehead, and large yellow facial wattles.

Tail and Leg Characteristics

Their tail is white with a black tip, and their long legs are yellow.

In-Flight Wing Appearance

In flight, the upperwings have black flight feathers and brown coverts separated by a white bar, while the underwings are white with black flight feathers.

Vocalization

The African wattled lapwing produces a loud peep-peep call.

Breeding Habitat

This species is a common breeder in wet lowland habitats, especially damp grassland.

Foraging Behavior and Diet

It often forages in drier habitats such as golf courses, picking insects and other invertebrates from the ground.

Reproduction

It lays three or four eggs in a scrape it makes on the ground.

Conservation Agreement

This species is covered by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).