Pied Lapwing (Vanellus cayanus)

The biology of the pied lapwing is not well known. Usually seen alone, or sometimes in small groups, the species often stands quietly near water, or runs short distances across the sand, stopping occasionally to search the ground for prey (3). The diet is thought to include a variety of insects, as well as snails (2). The pied lapwing may perform undulating flight displays during the breeding season, which may be around May to July in some areas (2). The nest is simply a slight depression in the ground, and two to three eggs are laid (2) (3). Little other information is available on the breeding behaviour of this species, but Charles Darwin, during his travels on HMS Beagle, noted that the adult pied lapwing may perform a distraction display, pretending to be wounded to draw potential predators away from the nest (4).

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