We recently received an interesting resighting of a Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus) from Mr Leon Swart (photographed in Rietvlei Nature Reserve) on the 30th December 2015. Even though this was a resighting, we were able to verify the ring number as photos were submitted (the numbers 36194 were visible), and through a process of elimination the prefix “D” could be determined. This individual was first ringed as an adult by Mr Andrew Tucker (from Pretoria) exactly 15 years and 1 day before this resighting, on the 29th December 2000. This is an important resighting as it has nearly doubled our previous longevity record for this species (longevity: 7y 11m 19d; ring number: 524023). Over the last 15 years this individual has not travelled very far as it was first ringed in Rietvlei Nature Reserve and was seen only 2km from this site.
As this individual was re-sighted and initially ringed as an adult the potential for a greater longevity is very likely. Of all the Vanellus species in our database this individual is the 4th oldest as the Long-toed Lapwing (Vanellus crassirostris) (longevity: 16y 8m 3d; ring number: 524023) and African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) (longevity: 21y 7m 14d; ring number: 524023) have individuals older than 15 years. Including our record holder there have been 38 Crowned Lapwing ringed in Rietvlei (of the total 1961 ringed, 110 re-trapped and 27 recovered Crowned Lapwing across Southern Africa) since 1998.
If you feel you know of an older record please contact us at SAFRING with the details.
The photo included with this article is accredited to Leon Swart.
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| Taxonomy | Maximum Longevity |
| Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae Genus: Vanellus |
8 years (Roberts 7) 15.01 years (SAFRING) |
| Species | Ring Number |
| Vanellus coronatus | D36194 |
| Common name | Sample size |
| Crowned Lapwing | Ringed: 1961 Retrapped: 110 Recovered: 27 Total: 2098 |
