Greater or Lesser Black-Winged Lapwing (1 Viewer)

[Tamir]

Hello all,

We need some help with this plover identification.

The two photos were taken in Mkhuze Game Reserve during our trip to SA in the past September. Our impression is towards Lesser black-winged (Senegal) lapwing. It looks slender, the white in the forehead is not too extensive and the legs are blackish.

However, non-br Greater Black-Winged also have black legs, and we are not sure about the amount of black border between the breast and belly.

Any comments will be much appreciated.

Many thanks

- Tamir

 

[Sal]

I think you are right and that it is a Senegal Lapwing, that small, well-defined patch on the forehead,the slight build: the Black-winged seem to have slightly more tail showing.

 

[njlarsen]

compare with this one: http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=143071
which I found through http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black-winged_Lapwing

Niels

 

[Tamir]

Thank you Sal and Niels for your comments.

Niels, In the Black-winged Lapwing photo you linked, the amount of white in the forehead is indeed more extensive than on “our” bird.

And I just realized that I uploaded this photo:
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36860

I completely forgot about it. It was taken about 10 years ago during our trip to Tanzania. You can even see the red hue of the legs on this bird.

Many thanks,

- Tamir