African Wattled Lapwing (Wattled Plover)

Afrikaans name: Lelkiewiet

Photo © Steven Herbert

Vanellus senegallus

The African Wattled Plover is found in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Free State, Limpopo and North West provinces. Beyond South Africa's borders it occurs in suitable habitat over most of sub-Saharan Africa.

It is often found in association with water, either in flooded grasslands or near lakes and pans. It can also be found in open grassland.

The male African Wattled Plover makes a nest by digging a shallow hole in an open area and lining it with bits of dry vegetation and pebbles. Up to 4 eggs are laid. The pair defend their nest site quite aggressively.

African Wattled Plovers feed on insects, seeds and worms. Thei main food items are crickets, grasshoppers and beetles.

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References and further reading

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 143

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 35

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 30

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 86

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 180

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 410

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 233

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 231

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 170

List of South African Birds