Black-winged Lapwing

Identification

The Black-winged Lapwing is a striking plover characterized by a bold black breast band that separates its grey head and neck from its white underside. The wing coverts are brown, and the bird displays a variable but prominent white forehead patch. Most notably in flight, it reveals a prominent white wingbar bordered by black remiges—a feature that distinguishes it clearly from its close relative, the Senegal Lapwing. The two species are also separated by habitat preference, with the Senegal Lapwing favouring lower, drier locations.

Range & Habitat

This east African species occupies a discontinuous range, found from the Ethiopian highlands in the north to central Kenya, with another population in middle to coastal elevations in eastern South Africa. The Black-winged Lapwing is a habitat specialist, restricting itself to short grass in well-watered temperate grasslands. Birds may move locally to find ideal situations, often undertaking these movements at night.

Behaviour & Diet

Black-winged Lapwings frequently occur in tightly grouped flying flocks and sometimes associate with the similar-sized Crowned Lapwing in mixed flocks. During the spring breeding season, leg colour brightens and birds may move to higher elevations. Males establish territories through calling and display flights featuring exaggerated wing beats, with receptive females following males in flight before copulation. Nesting typically occurs on the top of slopes in burnt grassland, with clutches of usually three large, dark eggs. Incubation lasts just under a month, with adults taking shifts of approximately 90 minutes each; young require about another month to become self-sufficient.

These birds are ground hunters specializing in termites, which form a large part of their diet. They also take tenebrionid beetles and ants, with a preference for earthworms and mealworms in captivity. Smaller groups defend feeding territories of less than one hectare through vocal and visual threat displays or aerial mobbing, while larger groups form non-territorial flocks when ample habitat is available.

Best Time & Places to See It

Spring is the optimal season for observing Black-winged Lapwings, when leg colours brighten and birds establish territories with conspicuous calling and display flights. The species can be found in the Ethiopian highlands, central Kenya, and eastern South Africa at appropriate elevations. Search well-watered temperate grasslands with short grass, where birds may be encountered in small groups or larger flocks depending on habitat availability.

Photography Tips

The Black-winged Lapwing's striking plumage—particularly the bold black breast band and white underside—photographs well in good light. Capture the distinctive white forehead patch and brown wing coverts in perched birds. In flight, the bird's most diagnostic feature, the white wingbar bordered by black remiges, is most visible from below or at an angle. During the breeding season, try to photograph territorial males performing their exaggerated wing-beat displays, which provide dynamic behavioural images. Early morning light on temperate grasslands will best reveal the bird's subtle grey and brown tones.