Afghanistan (P), Armenia (P), Austria (P), Azerbaijan (NB) (P), Eritrea (NB), Georgia (P), India (NB), Iran [Islamic Republic of] (P), Iraq (NB) (P), Israel (NB) (P), Kazakhstan (B), Kyrgyzstan (P), Oman (NB), Pakistan (NB), Palestinian Authority Territories (NB) (P), Russia (Central Asian) (B), Russia (European) (B) (P), Saudi Arabia (P), Sri Lanka (NB), Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic (NB) (P), Tajikistan (P), Turkey (P), Turkmenistan (P), Uzbekistan (P).
Vagrant to Bahrain (P), Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cameroon, China (mainland) (E), Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait (P), Lebanon (P), Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands Antilles, Poland, Portugal, Qatar (P), Romania, Seychelles, Slovakia (Slovak Republic), Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine (E), United Arab Emirates (P), United Kingdom, Yemen.
Population
Estimated population is 11,000 (2010) and decreasing.
Status CR
Conversion of habitat for agriculture, destruction of nests by grazing animals, illegal hunting during migration and on wintering grounds are the main threats. Estimated population is 11,000 (2010) and decreasing.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
A harsh 'kretsch kretsch' and a rapid chattering.
Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) [XC435146]
by Marie-Lan Ta\u00ff Pamart from Besh Barmag, Azerbaijan (flight call)
Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) [XC813693]
by Thijs Fijen from Tselinograd, Kazakhstan (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar Species
White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus) which lacks supercilium and crown patch, has longer legs and no black subterminal tail-band.
References
See References.