Blacksmith Lapwing
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| Vanellus armatus (Burchell, 1822) |
The Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus) occurs commonly from Kenya, through central Tanzania to southern and south western Africa. The vernacular name derives from the repeated metallic 'tink, tink, tink' alarm call.
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[edit] Description
Blacksmith Lapwings are very boldly patterned in black, grey and white, possibly warning colours to predators. It is one of 5 Lapwing species that share the characteristics of a carpal (wing) spur, red eye and a bold pied plumage (2 African, 1 Asian and 2 Neotropical). The bare parts are black. Females average larger and heavier but the sexes are generally alike.
[edit] Habitat and numbers
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. As with the Crowned Lapwing, there may be an exodus from Zambia and Zimbabwe in years of high rainfall and a return in dry years. Mountains of any type are avoided.
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 1930's. In this region they have also entered estuarine mud flats in winter where they aggressively displace other waders.
[edit] Behaviour and food
The species reacts aggressively to other Lapwings or African Jacanas that may enter its wetland habitat. They breed in spring, but their choice of nesting site and timing may be opportunistic. The young separate gradually from their parents and don't return to natal areas afterwards. They feed on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.
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[edit] See also
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Vanellus armatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa. Fifth edition. 1984. G.L. Maclean.
- Birds of Africa south of the Sahara. 2003. Sinclair I., Ryan P.
- Ward, D. Underhill, L.G. Tree, A.J. Blacksmith Plover. In: The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 1: Non-passerines.
- Waders of southern Africa. 1995. Hockey P.A.R., Douie C.
- Shorebirds: An identification guide. 1986. Marchant J., Prater T., Hayman P.
