Occurrence and persistence of Blacksmith Lapwings Vanellus armatus and Crowned Lapwings V. coronatus and their reproductive success in an urban mosaic landscape

Abstract

Urbanised landscapes continue to expand globally, leading to increased habitat fragmentation, which creates a mosaic of natural and managed landscapes. These environmental changes have an impact on bird populations, and are reflected in the declining populations of open-habitat species. Despite this, various bird species persist in certain cities, often through behavioural plasticity. In South Africa, this includes the Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus and Crowned Lapwing V. coronatus (family Charadriidae). This study focused on assessing factors affecting the persistence of these species in the mosaic urban landscape of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province. Specifically, we examined these species’ occurrence and habitat use, and aimed to determine the influence of human activiy and different land uses on their nesting ecology. We surveyed different sites and collected data on monthly abundance, habitat use and nesting ecology, from April 2022 to September 2023. We found that Blacksmith Lapwings and Crowned Lapwings coexist in and occur in human-modified landscapes, but will vacate the urban built environment if the habitats become unfavourable. Their abundance was seasonal, with abundance greater outside the breeding season. These species nest on short, open grasslands, creating a shallow scrape on the ground for the nest. Hatching success was greater than fledgling success, as environmental factors and/or predation affect the eggs and hatchlings differently. Despite this, both species persist in this urban mosaic landscape’s open, short grasslands in natural and managed green spaces.