Piping Plover vs Southern Lapwing
Charadrius melodus compared with Vanellus chilensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Piping Plover | Southern Lapwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Charadrius melodus | Vanellus chilensis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae | Charadriidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 23.1 cm (9.1 in) | 45.2 cm (17.8 in) |
| Weight | 53.4 g (1.88 oz) | 291.5 g (10.28 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 4 | 3-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Piping Plover
Least Concern
Southern Lapwing
About These Birds
Piping Plover
Piping Plover: 17–18 cm, pale sandy-gray plover with an incomplete breast-band, orange legs, and yellow-orange bill. Breeds on Atlantic beaches, Great Lakes shores, and Great Plains rivers of North America. Critically threatened by beach disturbance; listed as Near Threatened globally. Winters on Gulf and Atlantic coasts. NT.
Southern Lapwing
Southern Lapwing: 32–38 cm, the most familiar South American lapwing with a grey head, pinkish-grey upperparts, metallic green wing spurs, and a distinctive crest. Common resident from Colombia south to Patagonia in open grassland, farmland, and urban parks. Insectivorous. Highly vocal and territorial. Expanding its range northward.