Bird of the week: Long-toed lapwing
The long-toed lapwing is boldly marked with a white face and throat framed by a black nape and breast band.
The long-toed lapwing is rare in South Africa and found only in Northern KZN adjacent to Mozambique.
They like permanent water with floating vegetation, especially waterlilies where they feed on insects and molluscs.
ALSO READ: Subsea cable reaches land in Amanzimtoti
These lapwing are found solitary or in pairs, or small family groups. They are shy and wary, except when breeding.
They walk like Jacana’s on floating water plants, hence their long toes to distribute weight. The call is a repeated high pitched “pink – pink”.
Breeding takes place from July to October. The nest is a pad of water plants built up in shallow waters, also a scrape of soil or mud within 100 metres of water.
Usually four dark olive to greyish green eggs are laid. The incubation and fledging period is unrecorded. The Afrikaans name is witvlerkkiewiet.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047.
Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom at 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
