Long-legged, fairly short-necked, partially gregarious plovers. They have contrasting black and white tails and rumps and they have broad round wings.
They are conspicuous and noisy, often becoming agitated and calling persistently when human observers are close, especially when breeding. They are often found in grassland or along wetland fringes.
They hunt by sight, often using a 'run-stop-search' strategy and they often associate with with other birds and mammals to benefit from the food they disturb. They are attracted to burns for dead or fleeing insects and some species may probe and scratch through dung or soil for food.
Lapwings will attack, mob and attempt to drive off enemies with very noisy dive-bombing displays.
They are monogamous with long lasting pair bonds. They lay 2 - 4 buffy eggs, heavily blotched with black, incubation and care of young by both adults. When the nest in threatened, they will launch into 'injury-feigning' or 'false-booding' displays

Vanelius = a winnowing fan, in reference to rapid wingbeats

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