Black-winged Lapwing / Black-winged Plover

Afrikaans name: Grootswartvlerkkiewiet

Above - Black-winged Lapwing

Photo © Steven Herbert

Vanellus melanopterus

The Black-winged Lapwing used to be called the Black-winged Plover. This bird is normally seen in small groups in areas with short grass. These groups are territorial and defend their territories vocally and with aerial displays.

There are two distinct population groups of this species in Africa. One group is found in South Africa and the other in Kenya through to Ethiopia. There are no movements between the two regions although they do have some local minor migrations.

Termites make up the biggest portion of the Black-winged Lapwings diet but they also eat other insects such as ants and beetles. Earth worms are also eaten.

A pair will make their nest in short grassland, especially areas that have been burnt recently. They normally lay three eggs. Both parents share the incubation duties and take turns of 1 to 2 hours before swopping.

Above - A Black-winged Lapwing in its typical grassland habitat

Photo © Steven Herbert

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	243	Titihoia melanoptera minor
2nd	243	Stephanibyx melanopterus
3rd	243	Stephanibyx melanopterus
4th	243	Stephanibyx melanopterus
5th	257	Vanellus melanopterus
6th	257	Vanellus melanopterus
7th	296	Vanellus melanopterus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	243	Black-winged Plover
2nd	243	Black-winged Plover
3rd	243	Black-winged Plover
4th	243	Black-winged Plover
5th	257	Blackwinged Plover
6th	257	Blackwinged Plover
7th	296	Black-winged Lapwing

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	243	Swartvlerk-kiewietjie
2nd	243	Swartvlerk-kiewietjie
3rd	243	Swartvlerk-kiewietjie
4th	243	Swartvlerk-kiewietjie
5th	257	Grootswartvlerkkiewiet
6th	257	Grootswartvlerkkiewiet
7th	296	Grootswartvlerkkiewiet

References and further reading

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 160

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 102

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 150

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 170

Shorebirds - Author: P. Hayman, J. Marchant, T. Prater - Published: 1986 - Page: 266

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 228

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 164

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 230

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 167

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 174

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 120

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 124

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 131

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 120

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 124

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 30

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 92

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 56

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 142

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 111

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 85

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 142

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 115

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