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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Charadriidae
  4. ›
  5. Vanellus
  6. ›
  7. Banded Lapwing
Banded Lapwing
Photo · no rights reserved

BirdUp · Species

Banded Lapwing

Vanellus tricolor(Vieillot, 1818)

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
CHARADRIIFORMES
Family
Charadriidae
Genus
Vanellus

At a glance

The Banded Lapwing is a medium-sized bird, about 25–29 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
25–29 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Banded Lapwing look like?

The Banded Lapwing is a medium-sized bird, about 25–29 cm long and weighing 175–200 g.

The banded lapwing is a small to medium-sized shorebird, found in small parties or large flocks on bare ground in open grasslands, agricultural land and open savannah. It is native to Australia and in the past considered as a game bird for hunting. Population estimate is 25 000 - 1 000 000. Other names include banded, black-breasted, brown flock and plain plover.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
25–29 cm
Weight
175–200 g
Wingspan
61 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Banded Lapwing?

The Banded Lapwing is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Banded Lapwing eat?

The Banded Lapwing feeds on seeds and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Banded Lapwing live in Australia?

The Banded Lapwing is endemic to Australia, recorded across 77 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingInland Australia (except north, west-central) and Tasmania

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident

8 regions recorded