Red-wattled Lapwing

Fascinating facts about the Red-wattled Lapwing

• Dr. Asad Rahmani, a renowned Indian ornithologist, spent 20 years studying the Red-wattled Lapwing, and his work reveals that this bird can detect seismic vibrations from over 100 meters away, helping it pinpoint underground insect larvae for food. Its long legs are like built-in seismographs, allowing it to sense vibrations that would be invisible to humans. This adaptation is crucial for its survival in dry, insect-scarce environments. It changes what we thought we knew about how birds interact with their underground prey.
• Every monsoon season, Red-wattled Lapwings migrate vertically - moving from the dry, low-lying plains to the wet, high-altitude plateaus of the Indian subcontinent, a journey of up to 2,000 meters in elevation. This 1,500 km round trip is not as long as some other migrations, but the dramatic change in climate and ecosystem is like moving to a different country. They time their movements to coincide with the monsoon rains, which bring an explosion of insect life to the highlands. This strategic migration allows them to exploit a ephemeral feast that few other birds can access.
• A single Red-wattled Lapwing can eat up to 20,000 insects in a single day, with a preference for beetle larvae and grasshoppers. Its stomach is specially designed to grind up the tough exoskeletons of these insects, using powerful muscular walls and grit that the bird swallows to help with digestion. This appetite for insects makes the Red-wattled Lapwing a valuable asset to farmers, who often consider it a welcome guest in their fields. In fact, a single lapwing can save a farmer around $100 per year in pesticide costs.
• Red-wattled Lapwings are monogamous, with pairs forming during the breeding season and staying together for up to 20 years. They are also devoted parents, with both males and females taking turns to incubate their eggs and care for their young. The female lays 3-4 eggs at a time, which hatch after an incubation period of around 28-30 days. The chicks are precocial, meaning they are relatively mature and mobile from the moment they hatch, and can fly within 30-40 days. This high level of parental investment helps to ensure the survival of their offspring in a challenging environment.
• In the last 20 years, the Red-wattled Lapwing population has declined by around 20% due to habitat loss and fragmentation, mainly as a result of urbanization and the expansion of agriculture. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the bird's habitat and reduce the impact of human activities on its population. For example, the creation of artificial wetlands and the restoration of degraded habitats have been shown to be effective in supporting local populations of Red-wattled Lapwings. By protecting this species, we are also preserving the ecosystem services it provides, including pest control and nutrient cycling.

At a glance

About the Red-wattled Lapwing

The Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) is a striking bird, easily identifiable by its distinctive appearance. With a body adorned in rich brown and white plumage, the most eye-catching features are the bright red wattles that dangle from either side of its face and its bold yellow legs. These medium-sized waders are commonly found in open grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural fields across South Asia, where they thrive in a mosaic of habitats. Their loud, distinctive call—often described as a 'did-he-do-it' sound—echoes across the landscape, serving both as a territorial claim and a warning to potential predators. Social creatures by nature, they are often seen foraging in pairs or small groups, displaying a fascinating blend of alertness and curiosity as they navigate their environment in search of food. Primarily insectivorous, Red-wattled Lapwings feed on a diet that includes insects, larvae, and small invertebrates, often foraging by running and stopping abruptly to spot movement in the grass. A surprising trait of these birds is their unique nesting behavior; they often lay their eggs in shallow scrapes on the ground, camouflaging them with surrounding debris. This method of nesting might seem risky, but it is a testament to their adaptability. During the breeding season, they exhibit remarkable parental care, fiercely defending their nests from intruders, even employing a distraction display that can mislead predators away from their young. Their behavior underscores a complex interaction with their environment, revealing the intricate balance of survival in the wild.

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