Northern Lapwing

The northern lapwing, also known as the peewit or pewit, tuit or tewit, green plover, or pyewipe or just lapwing, is a bird in the lapwing subfamily. It is common through temperate Eurosiberia.

Northern Lapwings are primarily crepuscular, with peak foraging activity at dawn and dusk, though they may feed throughout the day in cooler weather. Their diet is omnivorous, consisting mainly of earthworms, insects, spiders, and other invertebrates, but also seeds and plant material, especially in winter. They forage by walking slowly and using a characteristic foot-trembling behavior to disturb prey from the soil. Socially, lapwings are territorial during the breeding season, with males defending nesting sites through aerial displays and aggressive posturing. Outside of breeding, they are highly social, forming large flocks that provide safety in numbers and facilitate information sharing about food sources. Lapwings are known for their elaborate distraction displays, such as feigning injury, to lure predators away from nests or chicks. Roosting occurs in open fields or mudflats, often communally.

Breeding occurs from March to July, with timing varying by latitude. Northern Lapwings are monogamous within a breeding season, though occasional polygyny is observed. Males establish territories and perform dramatic aerial displays, including tumbling flights and loud calls, to attract females. Nests are shallow scrapes in open ground, often sparsely lined with vegetation. The typical clutch consists of 3–4 olive-brown, blotched eggs. Incubation lasts 24–31 days, shared by both sexes but predominantly by the female. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest within hours of hatching and feeding themselves, though both parents guard and brood them. Fledging occurs at 35–40 days. Lapwings may re-nest if early clutches are lost, and double brooding is rare but possible in favorable conditions.

Northern Lapwings possess several adaptations for open-country living. Their cryptic plumage and ground-nesting habits reduce predation risk. The long crest and bold wing patterns are used in visual displays for mate attraction and territorial defense. Their broad, rounded wings enable agile, acrobatic flight, useful for both display and predator evasion. The species' flexible diet and foraging techniques, including foot-trembling and surface pecking, allow exploitation of a range of habitats and food sources. Behavioral adaptations such as group living outside the breeding season enhance predator detection and foraging efficiency. Their ability to undertake long-distance migrations, sometimes exceeding 2,000 km, allows them to exploit seasonal resources across a vast range.

The Northern Lapwing holds considerable cultural significance across its range. In European folklore, it is often associated with spring and renewal, as its return marks the end of winter. Its distinctive call and flight displays have inspired poetry, art, and local names in many languages. Historically, lapwing eggs were considered a delicacy in Britain and parts of Europe, leading to regulated collection in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The bird features in the folklore of the Netherlands, where the first lapwing egg of the year is celebrated as a symbol of fertility and good fortune. Its declining numbers have made it a flagship species for wetland conservation in several countries.

Recent research has focused on the impacts of agricultural practices and climate change on lapwing breeding success, with studies demonstrating the importance of traditional, low-intensity farming for sustaining populations. GPS and geolocator tracking have revealed complex migration routes, with some birds wintering as far south as North Africa and the Middle East. Genetic studies indicate low differentiation across the range, supporting the view of a single, widespread species. Ongoing research is investigating the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes and predator management in reversing population declines. Behavioral studies continue to explore the evolution of the species' unique aerial displays and anti-predator tactics.

Sources

The Northern Lapwing is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

The Northern Lapwing has experienced significant population declines, particularly in Western Europe, due to agricultural intensification, wetland drainage, and changes in land use that reduce suitable nesting and foraging habitats. The shift to autumn-sown crops and increased use of pesticides have reduced food availability and increased nest destruction during farming operations. Climate change poses additional threats through altered rainfall patterns affecting breeding habitats. Predation by mammals and corvids, especially in fragmented landscapes, further impacts breeding success. As a result, the species is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, with ongoing declines in several regions despite some local conservation efforts such as agri-environment schemes and habitat restoration.