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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Vanellus spinosus
Spur-winged lapwing. Greek: αγκαθoκαλημάvα. Genadi beach, April 2004.
Rare passage migrant. Length 30-40 cm, wingspan 75-85 cm. Sexes similar. River mouths, beaches. Feeds on insects, worms, small fish. Charismatic behaviour with strutting gate, elaborate pre-flight stretching drill and striking courtship display. Noisy with piercing repetitive call. Aggressively territorial.
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