Message:

[

Previous   Next

]

By Topic:

[

Previous   Next

]

Subject:

Lapwing songs

From:

Steve Sanford

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Fri, 4 Mar 2005 19:11:40 -0500

We heard just a little vocalization from our MD Lapwing on Thursday as it squabbled with Killdeer. 
I was intrigued by the Washington Post's description Feb 17 of their song (per Sibley) as "chee peewi ...peet ...air wilucho weep weep ee yo weep." I wasn't sure just how to sing that so I did a little Internet searching. 
In case you're curious, here are some online recordings of calls and songs of Lapwings in various formats. 
They are indeed pretty strange and wonderful. 

http://www.virtual-bird.com/birdsounds.htm   format: .mp3 
(A great collection of European birdsong online. Scroll down about 1/4 of the way down to Northern Lapwing and click on the scientific name on left: "Vanellus vanellus")

http://www.10x50.com/sounds.htm - .wav or Real Audio .ra (UK site)

http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/birds/lapwing.htm - QuickTime or .mp3 (on a page with  written info about the bird in Britain as well)

http://www.bl.uk/collections/sound-archive/wild.html - Real Audio .ram (includes the "lapping" sound of wings. UK site)

Steve Sanford
Randallstown (Baltimore Co) MD