Vanellus indicus
Size: 32 – 35cm
Weight: 110 – 230g
Found: The is a wide spread species, found from the Middle East, through the Indian subcontinent, and across Southeast Asia. This species is declining in its western range, but is abundant in much of South Asia, being seen at almost any wetland habitat in its range.
Description: Red-wattled lapwings are large waders, about 35 cm (14 in) long. The wings and back are light brown with a purple to green sheen, but the head, a bib on the front and back of the neck are black. Prominently white patch runs between these two colours, from belly and tail, flanking the neck to the sides of crown. Short tail is tipped black. A red fleshy wattle in front of each eye, black-tipped red bill, and the long legs are yellow. In flight, prominent white wing bars formed by the white on the secondary coverts.
Diet: The diet of the lapwing includes a range of insects, snails and other invertebrates, mostly picked from the ground. They may also feed on some grains. They feed mainly during the day but they may also feed at night. They may sometimes make use of the legs to disturb insect prey from soft soil.
Comment: Healthy adult birds have few predators and are capable of rapid and agile flight when pursued by hawks or falcons.
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