Vanellus indicus
The Red-wattled Lapwing, a striking member of the Charadriidae family, is a medium-sized wader instantly recognizable by its vivid red facial wattle and loud, distinctive call. Measuring typically 32-35 cm (12.5-13.8 inches) in length with a wingspan of 65-75 cm (25.5-29.5 inches) and weighing 130-190 grams (4.6-6.7 oz), this species showcases a bold black crown, nape, and breast separated from a white belly by a prominent white patch extending from the eye to the neck. Its back and wings are...
Found in open country, agricultural fields, dry riverbeds, and the margins of wetlands, often near human habitation, typically at low to moderate elevations.
Their diet consists mainly of insects such as beetles, ants, termites, and caterpillars, supplemented by other invertebrates like worms, snails, and occasionally small amounts of seeds or vegetation, typically gleaned from the ground.
Red-wattled Lapwings are primarily diurnal but will forage under artificial lights or moonlight, often roosting communally during the night. They employ a 'run-stop-peck' foraging strategy, visually locating prey on the ground or probing soft soil with their beaks. Highly territorial during the b...
The Red-wattled Lapwing boasts an extensive breeding and resident range spanning across a vast swathe of South and Southeast Asia. Its primary distribution includes the entire Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka), extending west into parts of the Middle East (easter...
Least Concern
- The common name 'Lapwing' refers to its distinctive, erratic, and flopping flight pattern. - Its loud, piercing call is often transcribed as 'did-he-do-it' or 'pity-to-do-it,' making it a highly recognizable sound across its range. - Red-wattled Lapwings are well-known for their aggressive defe...