Grey-headed Lapwing

Formerly scarce, increasingly in Peninsular Malaysia since the first decade of the 21st century. A scarce, less than annual visitor to Bornean Malaysia. Most numerous between Oct and Feb, favouring cultivated wetlands such as paddyfields.

Brown, grey-headed lapwing with black pectoral band (adults), black-tipped yellow bill and long yellow legs. In flight, from above, striking pattern made up of three triangles of contrasting colour – black primaries, white secondaries, outer greater coverts and primary coverts, remainder of inner wing brown. Broad black subterminal bar on white tail. From below mostly white wings, only primaries black. Ad: (sexes similar) Grey head, neck and breast bordered on lower edge by black pectoral band. Upperparts (mantle, scapulars and most coverts brown, flanks, belly and vent white. 1yr: Browner head and whiter throat than Ad, lacks black pectoral band and yellow loral wattle; tail band browner.

Red-wattled Lapwing seen in flight is superficially similar, so noting the position of the white on the upperwing is important.On Red-wattled, the white is a midwing bar, while on Grey-headed it forms a triangle on the trailing edge of the inner wing. For other species, see Red-wattled Lapwing.

Forages alone or in loose flocks of up to several hundred in both flooded and dry freshwater habitats. Typical stop-walk-peck plover feeding action.

Most numerous in the coastal plain of north-western Peninsular Malaysia, preferring paddyfields. Scarcer on the east coast of the Peninsula and rare in Bornean Malaysia.

Most frequently seen between October and February.