Crowned lapwing

The crowned lapwing is easy to recognise thanks to its striking head markings. Above the pale face a broad black band runs like a crown from eye to eye and frames a white forehead band. The rest of the head and neck are grey. Breast, back and wing coverts shimmer sandy brown. The underside is white, above it runs a dark breast band. The red legs and the equally red beak with a black tip underline the elegant pattern.

At just under 28 centimetres in body length and with a light, compact build, the crowned lapwing is hard to miss in open grassland. In flight, broad black-and-white wing bars are its trademark. Its delicate, upright stance creates a graceful silhouette; you’ll often see it walking attentively across the savannah.