Tag Archives: Vanellus

Vanellus madagascariensis Goodman

Madagascar Lapwing (Vanellus madagascariensis)

This species is known only from subfossil remains that were found in southwest Madagascar.

The remains were dated to an age of about 600 years, thus the species survived at least into the 14th century, it may have died out because of a aridification of its habitat, which may have happened in a natural way or due to human interference.

*********************  

edited: 04.10.2020

Vanellus macropterus (Wagler)

Javan Lapwing (Vanellus macropterus)

The Javan Lapwing was a beautiful, up to 28 cm large bird that inhabited the island of Java, Indonesia; it may also have occurred on Sumatra and other islands, but that is not known for sure.

The birds claimed relatively large territories in regions with rather dry, steppe-like vegetation, which they inhabited as pairs. 

The last individuals were seen in 1939, since that date there has not been the slightest trace of the species and it appears to be extinct. [1]

*********************  

References:  

[1] Errol Fuller: Extinct Birds. Penguin Books (England) 1987  

*********************

Depiction from: ‘C. J. Temminck: Nouveau recueil de planches coloriées d’oiseaux: pour servir de suite et de complément aux planches enluminées de Buffon, édition in-folio et in-4° de l’Imprimerie royale, 1770. A Strasbourgh; Chez Legras Imbert et Comp., 1838’

(public domain)

*********************

edited: 04.10.2020