What is a masked lapwing?
The masked lapwing is a common ground-nesting bird of Australian parks, sports fields and farmland, recognised by its yellow facial wattles. It is often called a plover.
Masked lapwings have white bodies, brown wings and black caps. The yellow wattles on their faces may be large, covering much of the face in birds from the north, or smaller in southern birds, which also have a black shoulder patch.
They nest directly on the ground in open areas, including school ovals, roundabouts and rooftops. Their eggs are well camouflaged.
Defensive parents
When nesting, lapwings defend their eggs and chicks fiercely, calling loudly and swooping at people and dogs. They have a small spur on each wing, though it is rarely used to cause harm.
Their loud, rattling calls are often heard at night.
Chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and feed themselves, while the parents stand guard and lead them away from danger. Lapwings breed mostly in winter and spring, and councils sometimes fence off nests on sports grounds until the chicks can walk away safely. The birds eat insects, worms and other small invertebrates found in short grass.
Did You Know?
Many Australians call the masked lapwing a spur-winged plover.