Sociable lapwing (Vanellus gregarius)

Species information

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Threats

The cause of the recent decline in sociable lapwing numbers is unknown, but it has been suggested that their habitat may have been changed after a reduction in grazing by large herds of native ungulates and domestic cattle. This species increasingly breeds near villages, where conversion of the land to farmland is imminent, and where additional threats, such as predation by domestic animals, are more likely. A further concern is the substantial increase in numbers of a predator of the sociable lapwing, the rook, Corvus frugilegus. Finally, both the breeding and wintering grounds of this species have become drier, which may be disrupting prey organism availability (2).

Conservation

The sociable lapwing is legally protected in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Plans to survey the bird’s movements in Kazakhstan should help to identify key threats. Protecting grassland steppe habitats, regulating livestock numbers and managing colonies during the nesting period are all key aims in plans to conserve this species (2).