Fauna
Bird

Masked Lapwing

Vanellus miles

Also known as Spur-winged Plover, Spurwing Plover, Masked Plover, Alatoc

Masked lapwings are conspicuous ground-dwelling plovers instantly recognizable by their bright yellow facial wattles and sharp, yellow carpal wing spurs. Pairs form lifelong monogamous bonds and defend expansive open territories, often choosing bare ground, sports ovals, or roadside verges to lay their eggs. When defending their nest or precocial chicks, adults launch into screeching, low-altitude swooping dives to drive away intruding animals and humans.

Ground-nestingVocalWading Bird
Masked Lapwing reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyEarthworms, Beetle Larvae, Field Crickets
Predators
  • Red Fox
  • Feral Cat
  • Peregrine Falcon
ThreatsVehicle strikes, lawn mowing of nests, and predation by domestic pets
HabitatsPastures, coastal mudflats, wetlands, lawns, and urban parks
Life span10–16 years
Classification
  1. OrderCharadriiformes
  2. FamilyCharadriidae
  3. GenusVanellus
  4. SpeciesVanellus miles
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Nesting adults aggressively swoop intruders and can strike with sharp wing spurs; give nests wide berth.
Why it is dangerous
Defending parents dive-bomb intruders at high speed, striking with sharp, yellow wing-joint spurs that can scratch or bruise skin.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for bright lemon-yellow facial wattles hanging beside the beak and yellow thorn-like spurs on the wing bends.
What to do
Hold an open umbrella or branch overhead and walk away calmly without running or waving your arms.
Responsible observation
  • Give Nests Space: Detour around grassy nesting areas during spring to avoid defensive dive-bombing.
  • Listen for Alarms: A staccato, grating rattle indicates you have walked into an active nesting territory.
  • Restrain Pets: Keep dogs leashed near wetlands and park lawns to protect vulnerable ground-dwelling chicks.
Related species
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