From a distance the Lapwing appears black above and white below, but closer observation will reveal the upperparts as a beautiful iridescent dark green and purple. The breast and cheeks are white and under-tail coverts are orange-brown. The legs are pink.

The throat is black in the summer and white in winter. Also in the winter, the back feathers have buff edges giving them a scaly appearance.

Males and females are similar, except the male's crest is longer and they have blacker breasts and whiter faces.

Juveniles have a shorter crest and a very scaly back.

They have a slow wing beat that doesn't appear enough to keep them aloft. In the spring, amazing aerobatic displays comprising zigzagging flights,rolls and dives are a part of their act.