Characteristics of breeding distribution of Grey-headed Lapwing in the Tohoku and Tokai region

Abstract

The Grey-headed Lapwing is a medium-sized wading bird that is listed as an endangered species in some prefectures and requires conservation measures. While Greyheaded Lapwing utilizes agricultural land, particularly rice fields, for breeding, there are no reports specifically detailing the preferred characteristics of these rice fields. In this study, we obtained knowledge, albeit partial, on the characteristics of the breeding distribution of the Grey-headed Lapwing. We observed a total of 45 active nests of Greyheaded Lapwing in Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, and Shizuoka prefectures, with the main study site around the Hachiro Lagoon Regulating Pond in Akita Prefecture, and discussed their environments. The results suggest that there are two types of breeding patterns: those that breed in lowland rice paddies near rivers and lakes at elevations of 0 m, and those that breed in high-elevation rice paddies unrelated to rivers and lakes. The former type nested at an average distance of 361 m and a maximum distance of less than 900 m from rivers and lakes.