Water Thick-knees resting on the bank of the Chobe River.
Two young Water Thick-kness demanding food from their mother – with little success in this case
Wattled Lapwing scouring the Chobe River bank for edibles. These birds are easily differentiated from White-crowned Lapwings by the red base to the wattles and streaked neck.These are fairly common in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Northern parts of South Africa.
Long-toed Lapwing standing on a small sand patch in the reed bed island in the Chobe River. These are uncommon residents and usually only found along the Northern Botswana and Zimbabwe environs.
Water-Thick-knees mainly eat insects – success!
The Water Thick-knee is primarily nocturnal and are found alongside river courses.
Wattled Lapwing with the distinctive yellow wattles and legs.
Young crowned Lapwing looking for insects in the short grass close to Leeupan in Kruger Park.
Water Thick-knees are waders. They can be active during the day but being mainly nocturnal are more often seen resting on the river bank.
Water Thick-knee drinking by scooping up the water much like an Ostrich.
Very small Blacksmith Lapwing chicks along the Chobe River. If it wasn’t for the dark clay background we would not have seen them.
Very young Blacksmith Lapwing chick.
Very young Blacksmith Lapwing chicks.
Very young Blacksmith Lapwing chick.
Very young Blacksmith Lapwing chick.
A pair of Long-toed Lapwings mating on an island in the Chobe River.
Long-toed Lapwings seem to be territorial and are not scared to get stuck in when they need to.
Long-toed Lapwings fighting – they can be very aggressive towards each other.
White-crowned Lapwing also has yellow wattles but its legs are not bright yellow and its head is grey not streaked. It has a white crown like the Wattled Lapwing but no red base to the wattles.
Blacksmith Lapwing on rocky river bed in Mashatu.
Blacksmith Lapwing drinking from small pools of rainwater in the rocks in a river bed in Mashatu.
Blacksmith Lapwing resting on its knees just like a stork.
White-crowned Lapwings mating on the banks of the Chobe river.
The girls have to be strong in the bird world. A pair of White-crowned Lapwings mating. Notice the spurs on the wing elbows – best he keeps those out of the way.
Blacksmith Lapwings walking all over resting Hippo in the Chobe River. The Lapwings are attracted by all the insects around the basking Hippo.