Description
A Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) in flight and calling loudly over central Chile after being alarmed by a human intruder to its territory. The species is always one of the first to sound an alarm when it feels in danger or under threat, acting as a sentry for many other species. The bird has sharp spurs on its wing ‘elbows’, clearly seen here, which it can use to fight if all else fails.