The Southern Lapwing Family of Parque Costeiro

Southern Lapwings at Parque Costeiro in Camburi (Photo: Leonardo Merçon/Últimos Refúgios)

Anyone visiting Parque Costeiro, located just north of Camburi Beach in Vitória (Espírito Santo, Brazil), might be expecting trails, a fresh sea breeze, and views of the mangroves. But if you look closely, you might spot something even more touching: a small family of Southern Lapwings (Vanellus chilensis) quietly thriving amid the bustle of city life.

Southern Lapwings are well-known birds—found in open fields, parks, and even vacant lots. Though common, they always catch my attention when seen as a family (or when they charge at anyone who gets too close 🤣). There’s something about the way they care for their chicks, the way they respond to threats, that always moves me: that instinctive parental protection... the power of affection.

To care is to resist

I recently visited Parque Costeiro for an environmental education event with children, organized by the Vitória da Restinga Project, led by Instituto Últimos Refúgios. The project is coordinated by my friend Rafael de Rezende Coelho, who often invites me to take part in their activities.

Right at the entrance, the park staff told us that a family of Southern Lapwings had “adopted” the place. They had been doing their best to protect the chicks, marking off a small area where the clumsy little ones wandered about. There was even a community effort to name the chicks—a simple but meaningful gesture that builds emotional connection. The names chosen by locals and visitors were “Du, Dudu, and Edu,” inspired by an old animated series I used to watch when I was younger. It was a small way of encouraging empathy for these creatures who had no choice but to be born in the heart of a bustling city.

That day, I witnessed a special moment. The mother Southern Lapwing lowered herself to the ground, and the chicks ran to her, nestling under her wings. I captured the moment in photos and video—and I felt it could carry an urgent message: life still finds refuge when we make space and show respect for it.

Southern Lapwings at Parque Costeiro in Camburi (Photo: Leonardo Merçon/Últimos Refúgios)

But nature is not always gentle. Wildlife faces enormous challenges—realities we, living in a so-called “civilized” society, often struggle to understand. While I was at the park, we noticed that one of the chicks had gone missing. It’s hard not to feel saddened, but that too is a part of wild nature. Parque Costeiro provides shelter not only for the young lapwings, but also for their natural predators. Around there, you’ll find herons, hawks, crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), and even caimans (Caiman latirostris). It’s one of those rare urban areas where nature expresses itself honestly—where every life plays a role.

Still, we hope the remaining chicks grow strong, nurtured by their parents’ care and the support we’re trying to build together.

Coexistence

Even surrounded by the pressures of urban life, these lapwings found a haven. They chose that little corner of the park—between industry and nature—to do what every living being longs to do: carry on. The adults remain vigilant, ever watchful of the world around them, while the chicks grow up between the mangrove roots, coastal vegetation, and curious eyes of local visitors. Many nearby residents already know the story—some even bring their children to watch the birds. Others are moved by the simplicity of a wild family surviving in the urban jungle.

The Park as a place of transformation

The presence of these Southern Lapwings says a lot about the times we’re living in. Parque Costeiro was created to be a place of reconciliation between the city and nature. Of course, not everything is resolved—the area still suffers from past and present impacts: improper land use, trash, its proximity to industrial zones. But there’s effort. There are people who care. And for me, that’s reason for hope.

Environmental education at Parque Costeiro (Photo: Leonardo Merçon/Últimos Refúgios)

At Instituto Últimos Refúgios, we are proud to be part of this rebuilding process. I clearly remember wanting to explore that region as a teenager, but never feeling safe. Back then, the area was known for crime, drug use, and prostitution. Little by little, I’ve witnessed a change in how people relate to this space—today, I see it as one of the coolest spots to explore in Vitória.

We’re fighting for a fairer city—for humans and non-humans alike. And when we see these Southern Lapwings raising their young there, it feels like we’re on the right path.

A call to action

I invite you, dear reader, to visit Parque Costeiro. Come meet this family. Observe them, take photos, engage. Help protect them with your conscious presence. Share their story.

Let these Southern Lapwings become a symbol of restoration for the northern coast of Camburi. Let them serve as “ambassadors” for what we can achieve: a city where life flourishes—even in the cracks of concrete