Birds
Andean Lapwing
Vanellus resplendens
Blending into rocky high-altitude terrain with pale grey plumage, an Andean lapwing tolerates thin mountain air and cold conditions far removed from the lowland habitat favoured by its closest lapwing relatives.
Overview
The Andean lapwing, Vanellus resplendens, is a Least Concern bird native to grassland and mountain habitat across the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Its tolerance for extreme high-altitude conditions, its pale, camouflaged plumage, and its close kinship with the more widespread southern lapwing make it one of the more specialised high-Andean shorebirds found anywhere in South America.
A lapwing built for altitude
While the southern lapwing thrives across South America’s lowlands, the Andean lapwing instead has carved out a life at extreme elevation, its pale plumage and tolerance for thin air setting it apart from its more familiar lowland relative.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable high-altitude grassland habitat throughout the Andes.
Andean Lapwing: common questions
How high in elevation does the Andean lapwing live?
This species lives at extreme high altitude across the Andes, tolerating conditions considerably colder than those faced by its lowland lapwing relatives.
Is the Andean lapwing related to the southern lapwing?
Yes, this species is a close relative of the southern lapwing, differing mainly in its high-altitude habitat and paler overall colouring adapted to rocky mountain terrain.
How does the Andean lapwing protect its nest?
This species defends its nest aggressively against intruders, a behaviour shared with many other lapwing species found around the world.
How does the Andean lapwing cope with thin mountain air?
This species tolerates the thin, oxygen-poor air typical of extreme high-altitude Andean habitat, an adaptation shared with several other high-Andean bird species.