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Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Description:

This lapwing is the only crested wader in South America. It is 32 to 38 centimetres (13 to 15 in) in length and weighs approximately 250 to 425 grams (8.8 to 15.0 oz). The upperparts are mainly brownish grey, with a bronze glossing on the shoulders. The head is particularly striking; mainly grey with a black forehead and throat patch extending onto the black breast. A white border separates the black of the face from the grey of the head and crest. The rest of the underparts are white, and the eye ring, legs and most of the bill are pink. It is equipped with red bony extensions under the wings (spurs), used to intimidate foes and fight birds of prey. During its slow flapping flight, the Southern Lapwing shows a broad white wing bar separating the grey-brown of the back and wing coverts from the black flight feathers. The rump is white and the tail black.

Habitat:

Mérida, Venezuela

Notes:

The call (early in the morning) is a very loud and harsh keek-keek-keek. I love it!

1 Species ID Suggestions

Ava T-B
Ava T-B 12 years ago
Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis Southern Lapwing


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1 Comment

YucefMerhi
YucefMerhi 12 years ago

Thank you, Ava! I found the name of the species while you were typing your comment ! What a beautiful synchronicity!

YucefMerhi
Spotted by
YucefMerhi

Mérida, Estado Mérida, Venezuela

Spotted on Feb 25, 2009
Submitted on Jan 12, 2012

Spotted for Mission

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Reference

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