Masked lapwing or plover
Vanellus milesDay or night, the lapwing can be heard making its noisy, penetrating 'kekekekek' call. Sometimes called the alarmbird (for obvious reasons), these wading birds generally gather in loose flocks, usually near waterways where food is abundant. They feed mainly on seeds, molluscs, worms and insects.
Come breeding season, lapwings want their privacy and split into pairs to nest and breed from late spring through winter. Together they guard their nest (a depression or mound on the ground) and then their chicks, aggressively fending off potential attackers.
Medium-sized birds, lapwings are brown with a black crown and white underparts. They have long red legs and grow to about 35-38cm. With bright yellow wattles on their forehead and face, and a small spur on the edge of their wing, they are hard to mistake (and frightening if they attack!).
Found everywhere except Western Australia, they are most often found in open grassy areas close to water. It's not uncommon to see lapwings nesting in parks, playing fields or on grassed lawns.
Last updated: 15 October 2007
