Northern Lapwing

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Northern Lapwing in the UK

A widespread resident and winter visitor, usually just called Lapwing. About 98,000 pairs breed in the UK and around 635,000 birds are present in winter, when flocks arrive from the Continent. It is Red-listed after a long decline: breeding numbers fell by 65% between 1967 and 2024, and it has been lost from much of south-west England, west Wales and western mainland Scotland. Drainage, the switch from spring to autumn sowing and nest predation are the main causes. The strongest breeding populations are now in northern England, parts of Scotland and on managed wet grassland reserves.

Where and when to see a Northern Lapwing

In spring look on wet pasture, upland-edge fields, spring-sown crops and reserve scrapes. Displays peak from March to May. From July flocks build on ploughed and flooded fields, estuaries and reservoir edges, and stay until late winter. The Ouse Washes, the Somerset Levels and the north Kent marshes hold thousands in winter. Sharp frosts trigger cold-weather movements, with flocks flying west and south in daylight. Winter flocks often feed at night under a bright moon and rest by day.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Wet meadows, arable.
Diet: Worms, insects.
Field note: Tumbling display flight.

How to identify a Northern Lapwing

Pigeon-sized, and the only British wader with a long, thin, upswept crest. It looks black and white at a distance. Close up the back is glossy green with purple tones, the breast band is black, the belly white and the undertail orange-brown. The wings are very broad and rounded, giving a slow, floppy flight in which flocks flicker black then white. On the ground it runs, stops and tilts forward to pick. Males have longer crests and blacker faces. Juveniles have short crests and buff-scaled backs.

Call and song

The call is a thin, wheezy, rising 'pee-wit', which gives the bird its other name. Displaying males add a wild, bubbling run of squeaks and whoops, with a throbbing hum from the wings as they tumble. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• European Golden Plover: Golden Plovers share winter fields but are smaller and spangled gold-brown, with pointed wings and tight, fast flocks.
• Eurasian Oystercatcher: Oystercatcher is also black and white but has a long orange bill, pink legs, a white wingbar and no crest.

Related guide Bird migration in Britain.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Northern Lapwing is a Common tier bird, worth +1 point when you log one. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• White-tailed LapwingLegendary · Wet meadows (very rare)
• Grey-headed LapwingLegendary · Wet fields (extreme vagrant)
• Sociable LapwingLegendary · Short grass (very rare vagrant)
• Western Yellow WagtailUncommon · Wet meadows
• Common SnipeCommon · Marshes
• Red-legged PartridgeCommon · Arable farmland

Northern Lapwing: quick answers

Why are Lapwings declining in the UK?

Mostly because fewer chicks survive on modern farmland. Autumn-sown crops are too tall to nest in by spring, drained fields hold fewer worms and insects, and nests are lost to farm operations and predators. Pairs do best where spring crops sit next to damp, grazed pasture.

What does a Lapwing eat?

Earthworms, leatherjackets, beetles and other soil invertebrates. It hunts by sight, running a few steps then pausing, and sometimes patters one foot on the ground to bring worms up.

What is the Lapwing's display flight?

In spring males climb steeply, then roll, twist and plunge towards the ground while calling, pulling out at the last moment. It marks the territory and attracts females. Nests are simple scrapes on bare or short ground, usually with four eggs.

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