large body; yellow bill, forehead, and wattles (Australia; 2006-06-20)


Masked Lapwing
Vanellus miles

Native Range: Australian Region

Notes: a large lapwing, thus making it the largest member of the whole family Charadriidae; usually found on wetland margins or open grassy fields; issues many different calls, both day and night; aggressively defends its nesting area (which may be a large patch of ground in a grassy park), even against human intruders; no sexual dimorphism.


black crown and nape; plain brown upperparts (Australia; 2006-06-20)

reddish legs; white underparts (Australia; 2006-06-20)

aggressively defends its nesting area (Australia; 2006-06-20)

often found on wetland margins too (Australia; 2006-06-20)

strutting his or her stuff (Australia; 2006-06-20)

note the spurs on the forewings (Australia; 2006-06-20)

posing for a portrait (Australia; 2006-06-20)