The banded lapwing (Vanellus tricolor) is a small to medium-sized shorebird, found in small parties or large flocks on bare ground in open grasslands, agricultural land and open savannah. Population estimate is 25 000 - 1 000 000.
Taxonomy
Lapwings belong to the family Charadriidae (plovers) and sub-family Vanellinae. It has been suggested that most plovers originated from the Southern Hemisphere and evolved under arid and semi-arid conditions. The masked lapwing is split into Vanellus miles miles and Vanellus miles novaehollandiae. The first fossils of the Vanellus species were from Belgian deposits retrieved from the middle Oligocene dating back 30 million years ago, the time when the first grasses appeared. They range from 25 cm to 29 cm in length and weigh on average 190 grams. They have an upright stance and a slow walk, breaking into a faster trot when alarmed. Juvenile plumage is similar to that of the adults, however the crown, nape, sides of neck and breast is mottled dark brown and the feathers of the upper parts are tan. and they are not dependent on wetlands and may live far away from water. Outside the breeding season, banded lapwings gather in small flocks and are nomadic. Records from the Atlas of Victorian Birds state the banded lapwing is most frequently reported in Victoria during spring and winter, suggesting that in Victoria they breed when rainfall is highest.
Breeding
The movement of the banded lapwing whilst breeding is almost exclusively inland and away from wetlands banded lapwings are monogamous The wing spurs are used in combat.