Common name of Vanellus vanellus (also known in Britain as Pewit from its cry) and also used as (part of the) name for other species of the genus Vanellus and in the plural a general term for these. They belong to the plover family (Charadriidae) and can often be distinguished from other plovers by a crest, facial wattles or wing-spurs (horny structure on top of a conical bone situated on the leading edge of the wing and used in combat). For general features, see plovers. A plumage pattern common to most lapwings is a basally white tail with a distal broad, black band, and black primaries of the wing (which usually has a white stripe).

Alternative forms for lapwings : lapwing, Vanellus.