Blacksmith Lapwing or Blacksmith Plover

Afrikaans name: Bontkiewiet

Photo © Steven Herbert

Vanellus armatus

The call of the Blacksmith Lapwing, also known as a Blacksmith Plover, sounds like the noise of a blacksmiths hammer and gives them their common name.

They are normally encountered in pairs or small groups.

Their preferred habitat is wetland of a variety of types.

As man has developed more dams the numbers of these birds has increased. They are also found in areas of the country where they weren't found previously.

The Blacksmith Lapwing can be quite aggressive and will fly at and around intruders in its territory.

They feed on insects, molluscs, worms and crustaceans.

The nest is made in short grass normally near water.

During the breeding season they are normally found in pairs but may occur in small flocks at other times.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 115

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 142

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 142

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 76

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 42

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 34

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 86

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 92

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 30

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Year Published: 2005 - Page: 28

Everyone's Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 31

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 86

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 180

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 116

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 122

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 122

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 410

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 103

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 169

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 175

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 231

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 229

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 166

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 168

Shorebirds - Author: P. Hayman, J. Marchant, T. Prater - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 260

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 149

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Year Published: 1979 - Page: 17

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 148

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 84

List of South African Birds