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Blacksmith Lapwing or Blacksmith Plover
Afrikaans name: Bontkiewiet
Photo © Steven Herbert
Vanellus armatus
The call of the Blacksmith Lapwing, also known as a Blacksmith Plover, sounds like the noise of a blacksmiths hammer and gives them their common name.
They are normally encountered in pairs or small groups.
Their preferred habitat is wetland of a variety of types.
As man has developed more dams the numbers of these birds has increased. They are also found in areas of the country where they weren't found previously.
The Blacksmith Lapwing can be quite aggressive and will fly at and around intruders in its territory.
They feed on insects, molluscs, worms and crustaceans.
The nest is made in short grass normally near water.
During the breeding season they are normally found in pairs but may occur in small flocks at other times.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 245 | Hoplopterus armatus |
| 2nd | 245 | Hoplopterus armatus |
| 3rd | 245 | Hoplopterus armatus |
| 4th | 245 | Hoplopterus armatus |
| 5th | 258 | Vanellus armatus |
| 6th | 258 | Vanellus armatus |
| 7th | 291 | Vanellus armatus |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 245 | Blacksmith Plover |
| 2nd | 245 | Blacksmith Plover |
| 3rd | 245 | Blacksmith Plover |
| 4th | 245 | Blacksmith Plover |
| 5th | 258 | Blacksmith Plover |
| 6th | 258 | Blacksmith Plover |
| 7th | 291 | Blacksmith Lapwing |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 245 | Swart-kiewietjie |
| 2nd | 245 | Bontkiewietjie |
| 3rd | 245 | Bontkiewietjie |
| 4th | 245 | Bontkiewietjie |
| 5th | 258 | Bontkiewiet |
| 6th | 258 | Bontkiewiet |
| 7th | 291 | Bontkiewiet |
References and further reading
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 47Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 148
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 38
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 84
Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 43
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 103
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 17
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 139
Shorebirds - Author: P. Hayman, J. Marchant, T. Prater - Published: 1986 - Page: 260
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 149
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 168
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 231
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 229
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 166
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 122
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 133
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 169
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 175
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 122
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 410
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 122
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 180
Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 60
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 116
Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 31
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 86
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 57
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 92
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 30
Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 28
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 34
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 86
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 112
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 166
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 42
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 76
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 142
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 115
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 142
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