yellow wattled lapwing

The Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus) is a distinctive ground-dwelling bird endemic to the Indian Subcontinent. Known for its sharp calls and fast flight, this species is a common sight on the dry plains of peninsular India. While they are mostly sedentary, they are recognized for their seasonal movements triggered by the arrival of the monsoon rains.

The yellow-wattled lapwing is a medium-sized wader, typically measuring between 26-28 cm in length. They possess a dull grey-brown plumage complemented by a striking black cap and a narrow white band separating the crown from the neck. Their most defining feature is the large yellow triangular facial wattle at the base of the beak. Additionally, they have long yellow legs, tiny yellow carpal spurs, and a white wingbar visible during flight.

These birds are primarily dry-country lapwings and are rarely found in forested areas. They typically inhabit altitudes ranging from 0 to 100 meters. Their preferred ecosystems include:

• Artificial Ecosystems: Open grounds, dry fields, rice fields, fallow fields, and arid pasturelands.
• Natural Ecosystems: Arid and temperate grasslands, fringes of wetlands, exposed mudflats, shorelines, and marshes.

The yellow-wattled lapwing is an obligate visual forager, primarily terrestrial in its hunting habits. Their diet mainly consists of insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, caterpillars, and mantids. They also consume spiders, macrobenthic fauna, and occasionally grains or cereals. Chicks have a varied diet including small insects, annelids, spiders, and even small frogs or toads.

As ground birds, their nesting habits are minimalistic. The nest is typically a mere collection of tiny pebbles on the ground, where well-camouflaged eggs are laid to blend into the stony environment. The chicks are nidifugous, meaning they leave the nest almost immediately after hatching to follow their parents and forage for food.

These birds are conspicuous and unmistakable, often seen in pairs or small groups in open habitats. They are capable of fast flight and possess a sharp, distinct call. During displays, they can slightly raise their crown feathers. While they do not perform traditional long-distance migration, they exhibit seasonal movements across the landscape in response to rainfall patterns.

The yellow-wattled lapwing is generally considered a common species within its range in the Indian Subcontinent. While it is mostly sedentary, its reliance on open grasslands and fallow fields makes it sensitive to extreme land-use changes, though it currently adapts well to various agricultural landscapes.

1. The yellow-wattled lapwing is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent and is rarely seen elsewhere, though vagrants have been spotted as far as Malaysia.
2. They have tiny yellow carpal spurs on their wings.
3. Their eggs are so well-camouflaged that they are nearly invisible against a background of stones and soil.
4. The yellow facial wattle is a fleshy growth that gives the bird its name and unique appearance.
5. Unlike many other waders, they prefer dry, arid environments over deep water habitats.

To spot a yellow-wattled lapwing, look for open, stony ground or dry fallow fields away from dense forests. Listen for their sharp, repetitive calls, which often give away their location before they are seen. Because they are ground-nesters, be careful where you step during the breeding season to avoid disturbing their highly camouflaged nests.

The yellow-wattled lapwing is a fascinating example of avian adaptation to the dry plains of India. With its striking yellow wattles and remarkable camouflage, it remains a favorite for birdwatchers exploring the arid grasslands and agricultural fields of the subcontinent.