Pied Lapwing!

Meet another migrant bird: the Pied Lapwing. 

The Pied Lapwing (Vanellus cayanus) has visited Kabalebo several times throughout the years. The first time that I saw a Pied Lapwing was in June 2010. One of the first birds I was able to identify. It is a bird that is seen close to water, especially during rainy season. For this year it arrived for the first time on April 26, 2016. 

It is a solitary bird that also enjoys the company of other water loving birds, such as Cattle Egrets, Solitary Sandpiper, Green Ibises  and Capped Herons. 

The Pied Lapwing is one of those birds that you can't easily forget or overlook. Just look at its appearance: red legs and red eye rings. An immaculate white throat with black mask and collar. When noticed it will take a sprint of several meters, right outside the 'danger' zone. It is not a shy bird at all, but one that is really cautious.

The Pied Lapwing forages on the ground, close to water, looking for insects, worms or small snails, hidden between the grass. 

With its uniform it can easily blend very well when foraging on sandy or muddy places. 

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