Spur-winged Plover

Vanellus spinosus

Other Names

  Spur-winged Lapwing   Vanneau à éperons, Vanneau éperonné   Spornkiebitz   Avefría Espinosa, Avefría espolonoda   Sporrvipa   Sporenkievit   Pavoncella spinosa

World: Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. In Africa, East from Senegal to Egypt, Somalia and southern Arabia and South to Cameroon, Zaire and North-East Tanzania.

Kenya: Common resident near rivers and Lakes in the northern half of the country, further South, mostly replaced by the Blacksmith Plover although present in Tsavo East and Amboseli.

Usually found on dry ground but rarely far from water, which makes Amboseli a great place to find it. In flight it looks similar to the Blacksmith Plover but has no black on its back and has white marks on the upper wing.