Blacksmith lapwing

Blacksmith lapwings are very boldly patterned in black, grey and white, possibly warning colours to predators. It is one of five lapwing species (two African, one Asian and two Neotropical) that share the characteristics of red eyes and a bold pied plumage, with a carpal (wing) spur adorning the wrist joint; a sharp black protrusion which they use to aggressively defend their young from potential threats, through persistent aerial dives typically targeting the head. The portions of the bird's body bare to plumage average a black coloration for the bill, and either a black or white-grey dappling on the legs. Females average larger and heavier but the sexes are generally alike.{{cite book|publisher=Trustees of J. Voelcker Bird Book Fund|last1=Hockey|first1=P.A.R.|last2=Dean|first2=W.R.J.|last3=Ryan|first3=P.G.|year=2005|title=Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa|edition=7th}}

The blacksmith lapwing occurs in association with wetlands of all sizes. Even very small damp areas caused by a spilling water trough can attract them. In South Africa they are most numerous in the mesic grassland region, less so in higher-rainfall grasslands. Like the crowned lapwing, this species may leave Zambia and Zimbabwe in years of high rainfall and return in dry years. It avoids mountains of any type.{{cite book|last1=Ward|first1=D.|last2=Underhill|first2=L.G.|last3=Tree|first3=A.J.|chapter=Blacksmith Plover|title=The atlas of southern African birds - Blacksmith Plover|volume=1: Non-passerines|url=http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/258.pdf}}

Blacksmith lapwings expanded their range in the 20th century into areas where dams were built and where intensive farming was practiced. Consequently, they are now numerous and established in the western Cape region of South Africa, where they were absent until the 1930s. In this region they have also entered estuarine mud flats in winter where they aggressively displace other waders. Although they are partially migratory, they do not seem to engage in large-scale, regular migrations.

File:20130830 Vanellus armatus on Cape Town Castle.webm

During the breeding season, the species often reacts aggressively to other lapwings or African jacanas that may enter its wetland habitat. Nests are shallow depressions on bare ground or short grass, close to water, and tend to be spaced at least 400 m apart. The blacksmith lapwing breeds in spring, but its choice of nesting site and timing may be opportunistic. The young separate gradually from their parents and do not return to natal areas afterwards. This lapwing feeds on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.

{{Commons category|Vanellus armatus}}

• Lapwing

{{Reflist}}

File:Vanellus armatus 2.jpg|Nesting in a road in Kenya

File:Vanellus armatus -Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania -egg-8.jpg|Adult, nest and egg in Tanzania

File:Vanellus armatus, nes, Little Eden, a.jpg|Clutch near freshwater shoreline

File:Vanellus armatus, legsel, Sunrise view, a.jpg|Clutch covered with plant debris in a garden

File:Vanellus armatus -Lake Nakuru, Kenya-8.jpg|Foraging at Lake Nakuru, Kenya

Image:Blacksmith_Plover_in_the_Okavango_delta_2007.jpg|In the Okavango Delta, Botswana

File:Vanellus armatus Etosha.jpg|At Etosha pan, Namibia

File:Blacksmith Plover ( Vanellus armatus) 3.jpg|In flight, showing wing spurs

• {{cite book|last1=Sinclair|first1=I.|last2=Ryan|first2=P.|year=2003|title=Birds of Africa south of the Sahara}}
• {{cite book|last1=Marchant|first1=J.|last2=Prater|first2=T.|last3=Hayman|first3=P.|year=1986|title=Shorebirds: An identification guide}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q931114}}

blacksmith lapwing

Category:Birds of Southern Africa

blacksmith lapwing

blacksmith lapwing

Category:Articles containing video clips