Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis (Molina, 1782)

Charadriidae — Plovers

Southern Lapwing, Vanellus chilensis, is a plover found across inland Middle America and much of South America, from Nicaragua south to southern Chile and southern Argentina. It is a resident bird of open country and is especially widespread in the Río de la Plata basin. It is absent from heavily wooded areas, most of the Amazon, the higher Andes and much of the dry western coast. It has also expanded into Central America in recent years, and has reached Trinidad, Tobago and, occasionally, Barbados.

Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae — Plovers
Breeding range: Middle America, South America: widespread inland, Nicaragua to s Chile and s Argentina