A Sprinkle of Earth
Vanellus chilensis lampronotus - Southern Lapwing (Wagler, 1827)
The Watchman
Description: These birds do not showcase sexual dimorphism. Some individuals of Vanellus chilensis display leucism, a recessive gene that confers the bird's plumage a white coloring. They feed on small aquatic invertebrates, small fishes, terrestrial arthropods and mollusks. They lay up to 4 eggs on the soil per brooding which normally occurs during Spring. Males are extremely aggressive and protective of their nest; in uncontrollable situations, they might fake a wound to ward off predators. The offspring blend very well with the scenery, being ground-colored, a camouflage defensive mechanism. They are extremely territorial and will alert the others of intruders with a loud scream. They are predated by Geranoaetus albicaudatus, Heterospizias meridionalis, Milvago chimango, Caracara plancus and Circus buffoni; I'm unaware if there are others. The offspring are born already knowing how to hunt, they are not beak-fed by the adults. Both the male and female incubate the eggs.
Four subspecies of Vanellus chilensis are described:
Vanellus chilensis cayennensis (Gmelin, 1789): Inhabits the North of Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, Northwest Ecuador and Panama (observed in Costa Rica and Nicaragua);
Vanellus chilensis lampronotus (Wagler, 1827): Inhabits cuenca del Plata, in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Southeast Bolivia and Central and Southern Brazil;
Vanellus chilensis chilensis (Molina, 1782): Inhabits Chile and the West and South of Argentina;
Vanellus chilensis fretensis (Brodkorb, 1934): Inhabits the South of Argentina and Chile.
Feeding type: Predator of small fishes, aquatic invertebrates, terrestrial arthropods and mollusks.
PROJECT NOAH (Português): www.projectnoah.org/spottings/456095873
Vanellus chilensis lampronotus - Southern Lapwing (Wagler, 1827)
The Watchman
Description: These birds do not showcase sexual dimorphism. Some individuals of Vanellus chilensis display leucism, a recessive gene that confers the bird's plumage a white coloring. They feed on small aquatic invertebrates, small fishes, terrestrial arthropods and mollusks. They lay up to 4 eggs on the soil per brooding which normally occurs during Spring. Males are extremely aggressive and protective of their nest; in uncontrollable situations, they might fake a wound to ward off predators. The offspring blend very well with the scenery, being ground-colored, a camouflage defensive mechanism. They are extremely territorial and will alert the others of intruders with a loud scream. They are predated by Geranoaetus albicaudatus, Heterospizias meridionalis, Milvago chimango, Caracara plancus and Circus buffoni; I'm unaware if there are others. The offspring are born already knowing how to hunt, they are not beak-fed by the adults. Both the male and female incubate the eggs.
Four subspecies of Vanellus chilensis are described:
Vanellus chilensis cayennensis (Gmelin, 1789): Inhabits the North of Brazil, the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, Northwest Ecuador and Panama (observed in Costa Rica and Nicaragua);
Vanellus chilensis lampronotus (Wagler, 1827): Inhabits cuenca del Plata, in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Southeast Bolivia and Central and Southern Brazil;
Vanellus chilensis chilensis (Molina, 1782): Inhabits Chile and the West and South of Argentina;
Vanellus chilensis fretensis (Brodkorb, 1934): Inhabits the South of Argentina and Chile.
Feeding type: Predator of small fishes, aquatic invertebrates, terrestrial arthropods and mollusks.
PROJECT NOAH (Português): www.projectnoah.org/spottings/456095873