The Senegal lapwing or lesser black-winged lapwing is a species of bird in the family Charadriidae. It is found in the African countries of Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It lives primarily in open grassy habitats.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occupies open grassy habitats including savannas, short-grass plains, burnt grasslands, floodplains, and lightly grazed pastures. It also uses airstrips, road verges, and fallow agricultural fields where vegetation is low. Avoids dense woodland and tall grass. Occurs near temporary pools and damp ground, especially after seasonal rains.
Altitude Range
0–2400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the lesser black-winged lapwing, it thrives in open, short-grass habitats and often increases in number after grassland fires or the first rains. Pairs nest on the ground in simple scrapes and perform dramatic distraction displays to lure predators away from chicks. In flight it shows a striking black-and-white wing pattern that helps with identification.
Temperament
wary and alert
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats and brief glides
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small loose flocks, sometimes aggregating in larger numbers on recently burnt or grazed grasslands. Ground-nesting in a shallow scrape, typically with 2–3 eggs, and both parents share incubation and chick care. Territorial during breeding and uses distraction displays to deter predators.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A sharp, repeated piping call, often rendered as a ringing ‘klee-klee-klee’, given in flight and when alarmed. Vocal and noisy around nesting sites, with rapid series of notes during display flights.
Plumage
Sleek, mostly brown upperparts with contrasting blackish primaries and a crisp white wingbar visible in flight. Underparts pale with a dusky breast wash. Head shows a dark crown contrasting with a white forehead and supercilium; throat pale. Tail largely white with a darker terminal band.
Diet
Feeds mainly on terrestrial invertebrates such as termites, beetles, grasshoppers, ants, and caterpillars. Also takes small worms and other soft-bodied prey from damp soil. Forages by walking and picking, occasionally using foot-trembling to flush prey. Will opportunistically take small seeds when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Short, open swards where visibility is high, including grazed pastures, airstrips, and recently burnt areas. Frequently feeds along the margins of temporary pools, pans, and floodplains after rains. Avoids tall, dense vegetation.
