Trinidad: Southern Lapwing - Vanellus chilensis

On several occasions our group go to see small flocks of Southern Lapwings, Vanellus chilensis. This large "shorebird" prefers grassy Savannah's and marshes, and like the Killdeer and other plovers is not shy about displaying its handsome looks. Note the striking red iris, bronzy shoulder patch, trailing black crest, and black face, neck and breast. Unmistakeable! The name "lapwing" apparently has nothing to do with the structure of the wing but refers to the wavering flight pattern.

Taxonomy -

Order: Charadriiformes - 300+ species, including the all the shorebirds plus gulls and terns, etc.

Suborder: Charadrii - The shorebirds, excluding the Gulls and Terns (Laridae)

Family: Charadriidae - The Lapwings and Plovers: 66 species worldwide.

Genus: Vanellus - The Lapwings. 24 species, mostly non-migratory birds of Africa and Eurasia. 22 are actually called "lapwing" and the other 2 are the Blacksmith Plover and the Long-toed Plover found in Africa. In the Western Hemisphere the Northern Lapwing is seen as a vagrant in the northeast, while 3 other lapwings are seen in South America (Southern, Andean and Pied Lapwings).

Species: Vanellus chilensis - Southern Lapwing. 4 subspecies are recognized, ranging from Costa Rica to Tierra del Fuego and including most areas of South America. 

Subspecies: Vanellus chilensis cayennensis. Not seen in Trinidad until 1961, but since then has been an abundant resident of grasslands and wet areas. Range of this subspecies includes areas of South America north of Amazonia.