Banded Lapwing
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PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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. banded lapwing
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  • An Australian Softbill
  • Scientific Name: Vanellus tricolor
  • Common Name/s: BANDED LAPWING, BANDED PLOVER, BLACK BREASTED PLOVER.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin: No
  • Origin / Distribution: Found in all states of Australia including Tasmania and the islands off Tasmania.
  • Habitat In Wild: Nomadic birds that prefer to live in open areas that have short grasses. Usually found in arid or dry environs.
  • Status In Wild: Secure
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity: Secure but not common
  • Age To Sexual Maturity: ?
  • Best breeding years (estimate): ?
  • Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic
  • Colour mutations: No
  • Availability: Specialist breeders
  • Temperament: Very defensive of the nest and will put on a distraction display to help save the nest from intruders. In the wild these birds are nocturnally active and live in groups of 5 - 12 birds. A parent bird may pretend to have a wing injury to lure intruders away from the nest or the young.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $70
  • Description Of Adults: Smaller of the two Lapwings found in Australia.
  1. Length: Approx. 250 - 280 mm (or approx 10 - 11.5 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx. ? gms (or approx ? ozs)

The other Lapwing found in Australia is the Masked Lapwing - Vanellus miles which is also known as the Masked Plover or Spur winged Plover.

Aviary Notes:

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to "Government Laws" page.

Housing Requirements: Click on "Softbills" web page for full details on the housing of  Softbills or read on for specific details for this finch.

The banded lapwing may be active at night and disturb other birds in the aviary. This can occur most often on full moon or bright moonlit nights.

Many articles have been published describing how the banded lapwing likes to breed in or inhabit areas that are regularly maintained. Golf courses and the surrounds of airports are a popular place for these birds to be found.

The birds need an area of long grass or ground cover for some privacy and to make a nest.

Diet / Feeding: Click on "Softbills" web page for full details on the nutrition of  Softbills or read on for specific details for this finch.

In the wild the main part of their diet is insects that are found on the ground.  The insects are often found by scratching the litter on the ground.  Other foods include seeds, plant shoots and very small animals.

In the aviary the foods for the banded lapwing can include a quality budgie or canary mix as well as chicken crumbles. A variety of insects such as mealworms, small captive bred cockroaches and crickets must be provided during the breeding season. Insects can be offered throughout the year. A good quality softbill mix can form part of a well balanced food intake.

Nesting: A basic overview only.

  • Roosting nest: Yes / No
  • Nesting months: June - December. In the wild the nesting season is influenced by the seasonal rains.
  • Nesting receptacles: Nest is made on the ground. The nest is a depression in the ground and is lined with dry grasses and other plant material.
  • Nest: The hen builds a nest out of grasses, twigs, short pieces of teased hessian and other materials.  Nest is lined with feathers, soft materials and soft fine grasses.
  • Who incubates the eggs: Hen / cock / both share.

Breeding:  Egg Colour brownish yellow to pale olive brown, with dark brown and dusky blotches all over.  Clutch/s per year 1 or 2.  Eggs per nest 3 - 5.  Incubation approx. 28 days.  Fledge approx. .?. days.  Independent approx. .?. days/weeks.

The young leave the nest within a day or two of hatching and are fed and protected by both parent birds.

Artificial incubation, hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site. It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.  Refer "Specific References" as listed below and "General References" listings.

Health Issues: Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

  • Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new birds or sick birds are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site. Refer above option - "Avian Health Issues" web page.
  • Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace. Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References: Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

  • Australian Aviculture
  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol 8 Issue 7. Feb-Mar 1995 Page 338-342

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