Vanellus tectus (Boddaert, 1783)

Taxonomy and Naming

The black-headed lapwing, also called the black-headed plover (Vanellus tectus), is a large member of the lapwing group, a category of medium-large wading birds in the family Charadriidae.

Distribution and Movement

It is a resident breeding species found across sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal to Ethiopia, though it makes seasonal movements.

Reproduction

It lays two or three eggs in a scrape dug into the ground.

Conspicuousness

These birds are conspicuous and easy to identify.

Head and Neck Plumage

As medium-large waders, they have a black head, except for a white forehead, white lower face, and white bands that cross the back of the head and nape.

Crest, Bill, and Leg Features

They have a wispy black crest, similar to that of the northern lapwing, and their bill and legs are red.

Tail Plumage

Their tail is white with a black tip.

Upperwing Appearance in Flight

In flight, the upperwings of the black-headed lapwing have black flight feathers and brown coverts, with a white bar separating these two areas.

Underwing Appearance in Flight

Their underwings are white with black flight feathers.

Breeding Habitat

This species is a common breeder in wet lowland habitats near water.

Feeding Habits

It often feeds in drier habitats like golf courses and grassy scrub, picking insects and other invertebrates from the ground.

Vocalization

The black-headed lapwing produces a metallic tink-tink call.