This elegantly long-winged brown lapwing features a clean black cap and bright yellow facial wattles during the breeding season, along with a white belly. Non-breeding adults and juveniles are more mottled overall and lack the solid black cap. In flight, note the contrasting patterns on the wings and tail. It prefers dry, open areas that are often far from water. Its calls include a loud, rasping tern-like sound and a sharp “cheeeee’it” in alarm; it is generally quieter than other lapwings.