Senegal Lapwing

The Senegal lapwing, also known as the lesser black-winged lapwing, bears the scientific name Vanellus lugubris. This bird is a member of the Charadriidae family, which is known for its diverse group of shorebirds.

Identification Tips

To identify the Senegal lapwing, look for its distinctive features which include a robust body, a short tail, and relatively long legs. Its plumage is generally cryptic, allowing it to blend into its grassland habitat.

Habitat

The Senegal lapwing favors open grassy environments. These habitats provide the necessary conditions for foraging and nesting, away from the dense cover of forests.

Distribution

This species has a broad range across the African continent. It can be found in countries such as Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, both Congos, Ivory Coast, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Behaviour

The Senegal lapwing exhibits typical lapwing behaviors, which include foraging for food on the ground and displaying territorial actions during the breeding season.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Senegal lapwing as Least Concern. This indicates that, currently, there are no immediate threats to the population levels of this species that would warrant a higher level of concern.