Automatically translated. This page was translated automatically from German and has not been reviewed by our editors.Show original
Birds
Blacksmith lapwing
Blacksmith lapwing · Vanellus armatus
Blacksmith lapwings move along Africa's shores with strikingly contrasting plumage and ringing calls – perfect for detailed nature observations.
Fact file
- Size
- About 31 cm tall with long, slender legs and a striking red eye
- Males and females
- Female hardly distinguishable from male, both coloured the same
- Sounds
- Metallic, clinking calls reminiscent of a blacksmith at work
- Diet
- Feeds on insects, small invertebrates and larvae
- Offspring
- Lays two to four eggs directly on the ground in a shallow scrape
How to identify Blacksmith lapwing
The blacksmith lapwing is easy to recognise thanks to its contrasting plumage. Head, neck and chest shine black, while the forehead, wing coverts and belly are white. In flight the wings show a distinctive chequerboard pattern that stands out especially clearly in open terrain.
With a body length of about 31 cm and long, slender legs, blacksmith lapwings look compact and curious. Their bright red eyes are striking, as are the small thorn-like spurs on the wing joints, which they can use in defence.
More in the app
With Wildful Stories+ you also get in the app:
- general viewing tips
- 2 places where you can see Blacksmith lapwing
Where Blacksmith lapwing live
Namibia
- Kwando Core Area
- Brandberg
- Buffalo Core Area
- Bwabwata Nationalpark
- Dolomite & Olifantsrus
- Erongo Gebirge
- Fish River Canyon
- Halali
- Hoanib
- Kalahari
- Kaokoland
- Lüderitz
- Mahango Core Area
- Mudumu Nationalpark
- Namib-Naukluft Nationalpark
- NamibRand Nature Reserve
- Namutoni
- Nkasa Rupara National Park
- Okaukuejo
- Palmwag
- Rundu
- Skelettküste
- Sossusvlei
- Spitzkoppe
- Swakopmund
- Twyfelfontein
- Walvis Bay
- Waterberg Plateau
- Windhoek
South Africa
Discover Blacksmith lapwing on your trip.
The app shows you where and when to see wildlife along your route.
