Peewit is a common name for the northern lapwing, a bird species in the family Charadriidae. It is found in Europe and Asia and is often called "lapwing" in English, though "peewit" is used regionally, especially in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The bird is named for its distinctive call, which sounds like "peewit" or "pee-wit." It is mainly black and white with brown or green upperparts and a distinctive head crest. Northern lapwings inhabit open grasslands, agricultural fields, and wetlands.
Lapwings are ground-nesting birds with well-camouflaged nests. Both parents incubate the eggs, and the precocial chicks can walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching. They are omnivores, feeding on insects, worms, and small invertebrates, and are known for aggressive territorial behavior, often dive-bombing perceived threats.
The species is widespread with stable populations, though it faces conservation challenges from habitat loss, degradation, and changes in agricultural practices.