Lapwing

A pied farmland wader with a wispy black crest and spectacular aerial courtship display — once Europe's most abundant wader, now in rapid decline due to agricultural change, and the subject of major conservation concern.

The display flight

The lapwing’s courtship display is one of the most dramatic of any European farmland bird. The male flies in tumbling, twisting rolls and swoops — stalling with wings held at steep angles, then diving and recovering — while producing its distinctive wailing call. The iridescent green-black and white wings flash repeatedly in the display, visible from hundreds of metres away.

The crest

The lapwing’s distinctive wispy black crest — 5–8 cm long, narrow and pointed — is always present but most prominent in males during breeding season. When raised in alarm or display, it stands straight up; in wind it streams back like a pennant.

Agricultural decline

Lapwing populations in the UK and Europe have declined dramatically since the 1960s:

UK breeding population has fallen by approximately 80% since 1970
Driven by changes in farming practice: switch from spring to autumn sowing, drainage of wet fields, increased use of pesticides (reducing invertebrate prey)

The lapwing’s decline is one of the most documented indicators of farmland wildlife collapse in Europe.

Nest defence

Lapwings are aggressive nest defenders, diving at much larger animals — including humans and cattle — that approach the nest. The nest is a simple scrape in open ground; the speckled eggs are exceptionally well-camouflaged.

Lapwing eggs

Lapwing eggs were a prized food in Britain until the early 20th century — “plovers’ eggs” (lapwing eggs) were sold in London markets at premium prices through the spring. Collection is now illegal.