Red-wattled Lapwing

Common resident in Peninsular Malaysia, occurring in open-country, including agricultural land. Increasing in number and range since the beginning of the 21st century due to land-clearance. A recent record in western Sarawak may be a precursor to a future colonization of the island.

Large, noisy, elegant, boldly-coloured lapwing with very long, yellow legs and red facial skin and bill base. In flight, from above, broad white mid-wingbar (greater coverts) separates the black flight feathers from the brown inner wing; white tail with broad subterminal black band. From below, white underwing coverts contrast with black flight feathers. Feet protrude beyond tail. Ad: (year round) Black head, nape and breast, with an oval-shaped white patch on the rear ear coverts. Upperparts largely mud brown, with an iridescent pinkish-maroon patch on the lesser coverts, and lower scapulars glossed greenish. Underparts white. Juv: Similar to Ad but legs and bill less bright, white on face more extensive, extending to chin and forehead.

Grey-headed Lapwing has similar overall shape and long yellow legs, but grey (not black and white) head and white secondaries (not greater coverts) above. Extreme vagrant Yellow-wattled Lapwing has similar wing pattern, black crown and white on ear coverts, but has brown lower ear coverts, throat and breast and yellow rather than red facial skin. Note: Introduced Masked Lapwing, an Australasian species, is now established in Singapore and could turn up in southern Peninsular Malaysia.

Feeds in typical plover stop-walk-peck action. Wary, particularly during nesting season, and will take to the air calling loudly and incessantly when threatened. Will mob intruders when nest or fledglings are nearby.

In Peninsular Malaysia, common especially in coastal lowland agricultural landscape including oil palm plantations. Scarcer or absent in hilly and mountainous areas. Usually encountered in pairs or family groups.

Present year-round.