[7] The first fossils of the Vanellus species were from Belgian deposits retrieved from the middle Oligocene dating back 30 million years ago, the time when the first grasses appeared.

[5] The banded lapwing is a medium-sized shorebird with short dark purplish legs and a dull red tibia.

[8] The bill is a pale yellow with a black tip and a small red wattle lies at the base.

[9] Juvenile plumage is similar to that of the adults, however the crown, nape, sides of neck and breast is mottled dark brown and the feathers of the upper parts are tan.

[2] They are rarely found in northern Australia [8] and are uncommon in most coastal areas[10] and they are not dependent on wetlands [11] and may live far away from water.

[2] Banded lapwings prefer open plains and short grassland areas such as heavily grazed paddocks, agricultural lands and recently germinated cereal crops most commonly found inland [10] and pastures of coastal and inland regions.

[5] They prefer areas with very short grass [8] to feed on seeds, insects [13] including worms, ants, termites, beetles, cockroaches, grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars.

[10] The breeding season is from June to November [13] however, they may nest any month in dry inland areas following rain.

[10] It will usually nest in an open area well away from trees or scrub where the sitting bird has a wide uninterrupted view of its surroundings.

[10] Nests are a scrape or depression on the ground usually lined up with vegetation [2] and sometimes small stones, twigs or animal droppings.