Red wattled lapwing: The vigilant parent

There is no denying the fact that every parent is extra cautious when their children are concerned, but the red wattled lapwing seems to go an extra mile while protecting its chicks. There is a local belief that the lapwing sleeps on its back with its legs pointed upwards. It is said that it displays this behaviour to prevent the sky from falling upon its offsprings. 

This bird has extraordinary vigilance. It readily detects any intruder activity in its territory and reports it to the neighbours by a sharp, loud and repeated call. The call of a lapwing sounds like

"Did you do it?" (Thus, it is also called the "Did you do it" bird).

In many parts of Rajasthan, it is believed that the position of its nest predicts the status of forthcoming rains in that area. For example, if the lapwing chooses lower ground to make its nest , it indicates poor monsoon. 

Here are some details about this part-time fortune teller:

Red wattled lapwing 

Common names: Red wattled lapwing, titori, titahari.

Scientific name: Vanellus indicus. 

Identification:

Lapwing showing back plumage 

• Both male and female have similar plumage.
• The upperparts and wings are pale brown in colour.
• The head, neck, throat and breast are black in colour.
• The lower belly and undertail are white.
• White wing bars are visible when the bird is in flight.
• The bill is red in colour with black tip.
• The irises are reddish-brown.
• It has a fleshy red wattle in front of each eye. (Hence derives the name, Red wattled lapwing.)
• The long legs are yellow in colour.

Lapwing displaying wattles and front plumage.

Habitat: Usually found in well watered open country, ploughed field, grazing lands, etc. 

Food: 

• They mostly feed upon insects, snails and other invertebrates, picked from ground.
• They may also feed upon grains sometimes.

Behaviour:

• Lapwings are usually seen in a group of two or three around their territory. 
• It takes short flights.
• It is highly attentive and watchful of intruders in its territory and quickly raises an alarm.
• It shows quick movement while defending its nest.
• The chicks hatch and immediately follow the parents to feed.
• They soak their belly feathers in water to provide water to the chicks.

Nest: The nest is made in ground depressions , sometimes furnished with pebbles.

Threats:

• Their number has declined due to extensive use of pesticides in agricultural fields.
• Another threat is increased human interference leading to loss of undisturbed open lands.
•  Another major threat is a myth associated with the red wattled lapwing, that its screeching call is a harbinger of death. 

Our role in conservation:

• There is a need to raise awareness against such myths and superstitions prevailing among people that harm the bird.
• Their importance as natural pest control should be realised as they feed upon insects that harm the crop.

IUCN Status: Least concern. 

Photographs by: Yamini Dashora.