Grey-headed Lapwing

The Grey-headed Lapwing, known scientifically as Vanellus cinereus, is a medium-sized wader with a distinctive appearance. It measures 34–37 cm in length, sporting a grey head and neck, a pronounced darker grey breast band, and a pure white belly. The back of this bird is a rich brown, while the rump gleams white, and the tail is a stark black. When observed in flight, the bird reveals a striking contrast with black primaries, white underwings and upper wing secondaries, and brown upper wing coverts.

Identification Tips

Adult Grey-headed Lapwings are similar in plumage regardless of sex, though males are marginally larger. Juveniles can be identified by the grey tinge in the white areas of their plumage, a less defined breast band, and pale fringes on the upperpart and wing covert feathers. The species can be recognized by its sharp "chee-it" call.

Habitat

The Grey-headed Lapwing breeds in wet grasslands, rice fields, and marshland edges, preferring areas that provide both food and cover.

Distribution

This species breeds in northeast China and Japan. The mainland population migrates to winter in northern Southeast Asia, from northeastern India to Cambodia. The Japanese population winters, at least in part, in southern Honshū. Vagrants have been recorded as far afield as Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, New South Wales in Australia, Sri Lanka, and even as distant as Sweden and England.

Behaviour

The Grey-headed Lapwing is a sociable bird during the winter months, often found in flocks. It nests from April to July, during which time it may be more territorial and solitary.

Song & Calls

The call of the Grey-headed Lapwing is a distinctive and sharp "chee-it," which can be helpful in identification.

Breeding

The breeding season for the Grey-headed Lapwing occurs from April to July. They nest in their preferred habitats of wet grasslands and marshy areas.

Diet and Feeding

Grey-headed Lapwings forage in shallow waters, where they feed on a diet consisting of insects, worms, and molluscs.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Grey-headed Lapwing as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher level of concern.