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;Vanellus coronatus | ;Vanellus coronatus | ||
[[Image:Crowned_Lapwing.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by jdbirdman]] | [[Image:Crowned_Lapwing.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by jdbirdman]] | ||
| + | ==Other Names== | ||
| + | Crowned Plover; German: Kronenkiebitz; Afrikaans: Kroonkiewiet; French: Vaneeau Couronné; Italian: Pavoncella Coronata; Dutch: Diadeemkieviet; Spanish: Avefría Coronado; Swedish: Kronvipa | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | + | The juveniles are reminiscent of wind-up toys, they are very fast when disturbed, running quickly with a jerky, clockwork motion. | |
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| − | |||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | Crowned Plovers have the sides of the face, neck, upper breast and upperparts a sandy-brown colour. The rest of the underparts are white, with a blackish band between the brown breast and white belly. The forehead is black, extending back above the eye to the nape. This is separated from the black crown by a white band which totally circles the head - creating the distinctive 'target-like' crown pattern that gives this species its name. Eye-colour is yellow or orange-brown and the bill is red with a black tip. The legs and feet are orange-red. | |
| + | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | This common and familiar species is found in a wide range of grassy areas. It prefers open areas with short grass or bare ground, and has adapted to urban areas where grass-mowing in parks, sports fields, and open road verges creates habitat for this bird. It is very tolerant of human activity, although it spends a lot of time mobbing humans and dogs who venture near the nest site. These birds are most active around dusk. | ||
| + | ==Forage & Food== | ||
| + | Its diet consists mainly of insects and larvae particularly termites, ants, beetles and crickets. | ||
| + | ==Breeding== | ||
| + | Crowned Lapwings breed mainly in late winter and early spring - often in newly burnt veld. The nest is a shallow scrape in the ground, typically in very short grassland or bare ground. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&what=allfields&si=Vanellus+coronatus View more images of Crowned Lapwing in the gallery] | *[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&what=allfields&si=Vanellus+coronatus View more images of Crowned Lapwing in the gallery] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 09:11, 12 June 2007
- Vanellus coronatus
Other Names
Crowned Plover; German: Kronenkiebitz; Afrikaans: Kroonkiewiet; French: Vaneeau Couronné; Italian: Pavoncella Coronata; Dutch: Diadeemkieviet; Spanish: Avefría Coronado; Swedish: Kronvipa
Description
The juveniles are reminiscent of wind-up toys, they are very fast when disturbed, running quickly with a jerky, clockwork motion.
Identification
Crowned Plovers have the sides of the face, neck, upper breast and upperparts a sandy-brown colour. The rest of the underparts are white, with a blackish band between the brown breast and white belly. The forehead is black, extending back above the eye to the nape. This is separated from the black crown by a white band which totally circles the head - creating the distinctive 'target-like' crown pattern that gives this species its name. Eye-colour is yellow or orange-brown and the bill is red with a black tip. The legs and feet are orange-red.
Habitat
This common and familiar species is found in a wide range of grassy areas. It prefers open areas with short grass or bare ground, and has adapted to urban areas where grass-mowing in parks, sports fields, and open road verges creates habitat for this bird. It is very tolerant of human activity, although it spends a lot of time mobbing humans and dogs who venture near the nest site. These birds are most active around dusk.
Forage & Food
Its diet consists mainly of insects and larvae particularly termites, ants, beetles and crickets.
Breeding
Crowned Lapwings breed mainly in late winter and early spring - often in newly burnt veld. The nest is a shallow scrape in the ground, typically in very short grassland or bare ground.
