Crowned Plover

Vanellus coronatus

Other Pics: Juvenile Crowned Plover

Other Names

  Crowned Lapwing   Vanneau couronné   Kronenkiebitz   Avefría Coronada   Kronvipa   Diadeemkievit   Pavoncella coronata

World: Africa in the S and E of the continent below 10°N.

Kenya: Common in open and bushed grassland below 3000m. Avoids areas of thick bush.

A plover of dry country which avoids moist ground. Its diet consists mainly of insects and larvae particularly termites, ants, beetles and crickets. These birds are most active around dusk. The juveniles are reminiscent of wind-up toys, they are very fast when disturbed, running quickly with a jerky, clockwork motion. This combined with their camouflaged plumage (which makes them look slightly out of focus even when still) makes them difficult to photograph!