Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence under 20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (under 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be over 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (over 30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size is estimated at 56,000-128,000 individuals (Wetlands International 2023), which equates to 37,300-85,300 mature individuals. The overall population trend is considered to be decreasing over three generations (14.88 years) (Wetlands International 2023).
Trend justification
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Behaviour This species is essentially sedentary but during periods of flooding it leaves rivers and moves to drier ground or temporary lagoons (Johnsgard 1981). Outside of the breeding season the species is gregarious and can generally be found in groups of 6-12 birds, occasionally in flocks of up to 30 (Urban, et al. 1986, del Hoyo, et al. 1996) or more on migration to less flooded areas (Johnsgard 1981). Breeding occurs mainly during the dry season (del Hoyo, et al. 1996), and at this time the species is highly territorial and is found in isolated pairs (Johnsgard 1981). In western and equatorial Africa breeding usually begins near the end of April, with exact dates varying with locallity (Johnsgard 1981). Habitat This species inhabits large rivers with sandy riverbanks and islands or sandbanks mid-stream, both in open country and forest (Urban, et al. 1986, del Hoyo, et al. 1996, Hockey, et al. 2005). During floods it is also found on small streams, pans and lagoons (del Hoyo, et al. 1996, Hockey, et al. 2005), and sometimes occurs on lake shores (e.g. Lake Kariba) (Urban, et al. 1986, Hockey, et al. 2005) foraging for worms in damp grassy places (Urban, et al. 1986). Diet The species is mainly omnivorous, taking insects (including beetles, weevils, ants, mantids and mutillid wasps), worms, molluscs, crabs, other small crustaceans and small fish (Urban, et al. 1986, del Hoyo, et al. 1996, Hockey, et al. 2005) or frogs (Johnsgard 1981, Hockey, et al. 2005); very rarely taking vegetable matter (del Hoyo, et al. 1996). Breeding site The nest of this species is a lined shallow scrape on sand or shingle in riverbeds at times of low water (Urban, et al. 1986, del Hoyo, et al. 1996).
The species is threatened in South Africa by habitat degradation owing to decreasing river flows (resulting from afforestation, invasive plant species and increasing water abstraction) (Hockey, et al. 2005).
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-crowned Lapwing Vanellus albiceps. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-crowned-lapwing-vanellus-albiceps on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.