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The African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) is a distinctive, large brownish bird known for its bright yellow facial wattles with red bases, living in moist African grasslands, marshes, and floodplains, feeding on insects, and making loud "peep-peep" calls; they form monogamous pairs, build shallow ground nests, and are non-migratory residents, though they show nomadic movements seasonally, generally considered Least Concern globally despite local habitat threats like afforestation.
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Appearance & Identification
Wattles: Large, bright yellow wattles with distinctive fleshy red bases (smaller in juveniles).
Plumage: Brown back, black crown, white forehead, yellow legs and beak, white tail with black tip.
In Flight: Shows black flight feathers, brown coverts, and a white wing bar.
Habitat & Diet
Habitat: Prefers wet areas like marshes, floodplains, lake edges, but also found in dry savanna, cultivated fields, and burnt grasslands.
Diet: Primarily insects (termites, locusts, beetles, caterpillars), worms, and some grass seeds, foraging on the ground.
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Behavior & Reproduction
Social: Forms monogamous pairs, often for life, and lives in groups.
Nesting: Builds shallow scrapes on the ground; the male selects the site, and the female chooses where to lay.
Vocalization: Known for loud "peep-peep-peep" calls, especially in flight, used for alarms and territory defense.
Activity: Forages by walking slowly; exhibits nocturnal feeding under full moons.
Status & Range
Distribution: Common across most of sub-Saharan Africa, outside rainforests.
Status: Globally listed as Least Concern (LC) by IUCN, but faces threats from habitat loss and hunting in some areas.
