Blacksmith Plover

Vanellus armatus

Other Names

  Blacksmith Lapwing   Vanneau armé   Schmiedekiebitz   Avefría Armada   Smedvipa   Smidsplevier    Pavoncella armata

World: Distributed throughout southern and eastern Africa.

Kenya: A common bird in central and south-central Kenya on rivers and lakes.

The Blacksmith Plover is a striking bird and has a very distinctive call which resembles the sound of someone hammering a piece of metal. It is found on muddy shores and in short grass near water. They're very common at Amboseli and can frequently be seen wandering around the grounds at Ol Tukai lodge.