Crowned Lapwings (Kroonkiewiet in Afrikaans), previously known as a Crowned Plover, inhabit dry, open grassland, sparse woodland and open areas, favouring sites with short grass. They have adapted well to man-modified habitats, including short pastures, favouring burnt grasslands and avoiding long grass.
They feed mainly on harvester termites. Other prey taken includes ants, beetles and small numbers of grasshoppers, spiders and millipedes. We saw them in the Malmesbury farmlands.
Chicks feed themselves from their first day, but the adults still direct them to food items.
The parents will defend the chicks vigorously through distraction displays and aerial mobbing, often almost striking intruders with trailing legs or wings.
