Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (mainland), India, Laos (B), Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam.
North-central India (Uttar Pradesh) and Nepal through east-central and north-eastern India to south-central China (south-western Yunnan) and Indochina; status unclear further eastern possibly to Hainan and to Hong Kong.
 
Population
Estimated population is 1,000 - 25,000 (2010).
River Lapwing (Vanellus duvaucelii) [XC74353]
by vir joshi from Dhikala Forest Rest House, Jim Corbett National Park, Uttaranchal, India (call, rapid call)
River Lapwing (Vanellus duvaucelii) [XC74350]
by Mike Nelson from Dhikala Forest Rest House, Jim Corbett National Park, Uttaranchal, India (call)
Subspecies
Forms superspecies with Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus), with which sometimes considered conspecific.