Hoplopterus melanopterus; Print; The black-winged lapwing or greater black-winged lapwing is an east African species that is found from the Ethiopian highlands in the north to central Kenya (race V. m. melanopterus); and again at middle to coastal elevations in eastern South Africa (race V. m. minor). It is a habitat specialist of short grass in well-watered temperate grasslands. They may move about locally to find ideal situations; often at night. In their tightly grouped flying flocks they resemble plovers.; 1820-1860