The Blacksmith Lapwing (or Plover) is a bold, black, white, and gray African bird named for its loud, metallic "tink-tink-tink" call, like a hammer on an anvil, used to defend its wetland territory and nest. These monogamous, territorial birds use a sharp spur on their wing for aggressive defense, dive-bombing threats, even elephants, and feed on invertebrates from mudflats and grasslands. They build simple ground nests near water and are common, widespread, and not currently threatened.
Key Facts:
Name Origin: Its distinctive loud, metallic call sounds like a blacksmith's hammer, hence the name.
Appearance: Striking black, white, and gray patterns with bold patches, red eyes, and a sharp spur on its wrist (carpal spur) used for defense, notes Wikipedia.
The Blacksmith Lapwing (or Plover) is a bold, black, white, and gray African bird named for its loud, metallic "tink-tink-tink" call, like a hammer on an anvil, used to defend its wetland territory and nest. These monogamous, territorial birds use a sharp spur on their wing for aggressive defense, dive-bombing threats, even elephants, and feed on invertebrates from mudflats and grasslands. They build simple ground nests near water and are common, widespread, and not currently threatened.
Key Facts:
Name Origin: Its distinctive loud, metallic call sounds like a blacksmith's hammer, hence the name.
Appearance: Striking black, white, and gray patterns with bold patches, red eyes, and a sharp spur on its wrist (carpal spur) used for defense, notes Wikipedia.
Habitat: Found in sub-Saharan Africa, favoring wetlands, mudflats, grasslands, and even artificial areas like airports and salt pans.
Diet: Eats terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, including insects, worms, mollusks, and crustaceans, often foraging by dashing or foot-trembling in shallow water.
Behavior: Very territorial and vocal, fiercely defending nests and young by diving at predators, including large mammals like elephants.
Nesting: Builds simple scrapes in the ground near water, laying 3-4 eggs, incubated by both parents.
Conservation: Common and widespread, considered of Least Concern, with range potentially expanding.
Defense Tactics:
Loud alarm calls.
Aerial dives and swoops.
Spreading wings, extending neck, pointing bill at intruder.
Using sharp carpal spurs aggressively.
