What is a peewit?

Peewit is a common name for the northern lapwing, a bird species in the family Charadriidae. It is found in Europe and Asia, and commonly referred to as "lapwing" in English, although the name "peewit" is also regionally used, particularly in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The northern lapwing is named for its distinctive call, which sounds like "peewit" or "pee-wit". The bird is mainly black and white, with brown or green upperparts, and a distinctive crest on its head. It inhabits open grasslands, agricultural fields, and wetlands.

Lapwings are ground-nesting birds, and their nests are often well-camouflaged among the vegetation. They lay several eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The chicks are precocial, meaning they are able to walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching.

Lapwings are omnivores and feed on a variety of insects, worms, and small invertebrates. They are also known for their aggressive territorial behavior, and will often dive-bomb or swoop at perceived threats to their nests or young.

The northern lapwing is a widespread species, and its populations are considered to be stable. However, like many other bird species, it faces some conservation challenges due to habitat loss and degradation, as well as changes in agricultural practices.