Blacksmith Lapwing

The Blacksmith Lapwing is a medium-sized lapwing (about 30 cm in length, weighing 200 g), elegant, with long legs and a thin bill. It is easily recognized by its unique plumage among lapwings.
From afar, the adult appears black and white with a unique combination of these colors. Up close one sees that what was thought to be white is actually white and very pale gray. The head is black with a wide white forehead patch which touches the dark red eye. The neck is black in front and white from the nape. This is enough for identification. The body is bi-colored, black in front (cloak, back and chest) and white in the back (belly, upper and lower tail coverts). In flight, wings and tail appear bi-colored: gray coverts above and white below and black remiges; white tail ended with black. The spur which the bird wears on the wrist of the wing and which gave it its name is especially visible in flight. Legs and bill are black.
The juvenile has the top of the head and all the upper parts (body and wing coverts), with the tectrices bordered by light beige, giving the bird a characteristic spotted look that allows it to better camouflage on the ground. Its belonging to the species is attested by its black and white neck like the adult, with the exception of the white throat whose white descends on the neck.