Species Profile
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus
Lapwing, also known as the Peewit
Quick Facts
Conservation
NTNear ThreatenedAlso known as: Peewit, Green Plover
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Appearance
The Northern Lapwing is a striking wader with a distinctive black crest, iridescent green back, and black-and-white pattern on its wings and underparts. Its round-winged shape and broad, rounded wing tips are key identification features. Their short, straight bill is black, and their legs are pinkish.
Males have longer crests and more contrasting plumage than females. In winter, both sexes display duller colours, with brownish feather edges on the upperparts.
Lapwing chicks can be seen near their parents from the day they hatch. The tiny youngsters are all legs and have mottled brown backs and crowns, with dark chests from an early age. As they mature, juveniles look increasingly like non-breeding adults but have paler breast bands and short crests.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- Brown
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Pink
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Northern Lapwings inhabit open country, including farmland, wet meadows, and coastal habitats across Europe and temperate Asia. They prefer short vegetation for nesting and feeding.
In winter, many birds from northern and eastern populations migrate to southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. In the UK, they are widespread residents, with numbers boosted by winter visitors from continental Europe.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Rutland
Cambridgeshire
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Berkshire
Cheshire
Cornwall
Cumbria
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
Merseyside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
London
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Midlands
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Northern Lapwings primarily feed on insects, worms, and other invertebrates. They use a distinctive foraging technique called 'foot-trembling', where they tap the ground with their feet to disturb prey.
During winter, they may supplement their diet with some plant material, including seeds and leaves.
Behaviour
Northern Lapwings are known for their acrobatic flight displays during the breeding season, performing twisting turns and rolls accompanied by their distinctive calls.
They often feed in flocks, walking with a deliberate gait and frequently pausing to look for prey. When threatened, they employ distraction displays to lure predators away from nests.
Calls & Sounds
The Northern Lapwing's call is a distinctive, far-carrying 'pee-wit' or 'pee-wee-wit', which gives the bird its alternative name 'Peewit'.
During the breeding season, males produce a buzzing 'song' accompanied by wing beats during display flights, creating a mechanical whirring sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Northern Lapwings breed from March to July, with males performing elaborate aerial displays to attract mates. They are known for their 'tumbling' flight and loud calls during courtship.
Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often in fields or near wetlands. Females typically lay 3-4 olive-brown eggs with black markings. Both parents may create multiple scrapes before selecting the final nest site.
Incubation lasts about 26-28 days, shared by both parents. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching and fledge after 35-40 days.
Conservation
The Northern Lapwing is classified as Near Threatened due to population declines across its range. Agricultural intensification, habitat loss, and changes in land management practices are primary threats.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding habitats and promoting wildlife-friendly farming practices.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Northern Lapwings in open fields, pastures, and wetlands
- Listen for their distinctive 'peewit' call, which gives them one of their common names
- Observe their unique flight pattern with broad, rounded wings
- In the UK, watch for large flocks in coastal areas during winter
Did You Know?
- Northern Lapwings can swim and have been observed bathing in shallow water.
- They have a 360-degree field of vision, helping them spot predators in open habitats.
- Their eggs were once considered a delicacy in some European countries, contributing to population declines.
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