blacksmith lapwing, birds

While authorities are generally agreed that there about 24 species of lapwing, classifications within the subfamily remain confused. At one extreme, some recognized no less than 19 different genera; other have gone as far as to group all the lapwings into the single genus, Vanellus. Current opinion appears to be that a more moderate position is appropriate.

These long-legged waders mostly have strongly patterned plumage. Although the most familiar northern hemisphere lapwing, Northern Lapwing, has a wispy crest, only two other species do so. Red or yellow facial wattles are a more typical decoration.