Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Masked lapwing or Spur-winged plover (Vanellus miles), 1790s

Masked lapwing or Spur-winged plover (Vanellus miles), 1790s

TAL & Dai-ichi Life Derby Collection, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW; Purchased from The Rt Hon. The 19th Earl of Derby, 2011; PXD 1098, vol. 4, f. 80

Watercolour

Masked lapwings are large, common, ground dwelling birds distributed across northern, central and eastern Australia.
Masked lapwings have several distinctive calls used to warn, defend intruders and communicate with their young.
 Masked lapwings mainly live on the ground, so they are always alert and never sleep properly.
A group of lapwings is called a ‘deceit’ or ‘desert’.
Masked lapwings defend their nests by diving on intruders or sometimes act as if injured to lure intruders away.
The southern subspecies of the Masked lapwing is also known as the Spur-winged plover.