African wattled lapwing

The African wattled lapwing, also known as the Senegal wattled plover or simply the wattled lapwing, is a captivating bird from the Charadriidae family. These large, easily recognizable birds are prevalent across most of sub-Saharan Africa, except in rainforest regions. They exhibit seasonal migration patterns.

In terms of appearance, wattled lapwings are distinguished by their brown plumage, black crown, white forehead, and prominent yellow facial wattles. They also feature white tails with black tips, yellow legs, and distinctive black and brown wings marked by white bars, particularly visible during flight.

African wattled lapwings typically inhabit wet lowland areas and grasslands, which serve as their preferred sites for breeding and foraging for insects and other invertebrates. They generally lay three to four eggs in simple ground scrapes. Their loud "peep-peep" call is a characteristic identifier.

These birds are protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). You can often spot them in diverse settings, including golf courses, where they search for food.