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) [XC113019]
by Benj&Ram (BCN) from Jim Corbett National Park (near Ramnagar), Nainital, Uttarakhand, India (flight call)
River Lapwing (Vanellus duvaucelii) [XC318033]
by Sreekumar Chirukandoth from Nameri NP, India (flight call)
Subspecies
Forms superspecies with Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus), with which sometimes considered conspecific.