Birds by Name – L

Lapwing

The (Northern) Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus, is a familiar bird in Europe frequenting farmed countryside and is often seen in huge flocks. They are also regularly seen at the edges of shallow water. Lapwing have a lovely green sheen mixed with purple and copper, a distinctive black cap and a very wispy crest.

The Lapwing grows to between 28 and 33 cm, has a wingspan of between 67 and 87 cm and weighs in at 128 to 330 grams. It has rounded wings and a distinctive crest.

Lapwings eat insects, spiders and worms.

The Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) is also known variously as the Peewit, Green Plover or, in the British Isles, just as plain old Lapwing. It is a member of the plover family.

Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Vanellus
Species: V. vanellus

Little Ringed Plover

The Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius, is a small plover found throughout Europe and Asia and has a grey-brown back and wings, white belly, a white breast with a black band at the neck, a brown cap, white forehead, black mask around the eyes and with a bit of white above the short dark bill. The eyes themselves are very distinctive with a yellow ring around them.

The legs of the Little Ringed Plover are a sort of pinky, flesh colour and the toes are webbed.

They are usually found near freshwater where they hunt for insects and worms. They are migratory and spend the winter in Africa.

Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Charadrius
Species: C. dubius

Long-tailed Tit

The Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus, is a fairly common sight throughout Europe and Asia and is easily recognised by its long tail which is longer than its body.