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Vanellus indicus
The Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) is a lapwing or large plover, a wader in the family Charadriidae. It has characteristic loud alarm calls which are variously rendered as did he do it or pity to do it leading to colloquial names like the did-he-do-it bird. Usually seen in pairs or small groups not far from water but may form large flocks in the non-breeding season (winter).
It breeds from West Asia (Iraq, SW Iran, the Arabian/Persian Gulf) eastwards across South Asia (Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the entire Indian subcontinent up to Kanyakumari and up to 1800m in Kashmir/Nepal), with another sub-species further east in Southeast Asia. May migrate altitudinally in spring and autumn (e.g. in N. Baluchistan or NW Pakistan), and spreads out widely in the monsoons[5] on creation of requisite habitats, but by and large the populations are resident.[10] 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.
They are little bit urbanized in India. They built nests near small swamps. They are very attractive in sense of their flights, voice, behavior.
Spotted on Apr 13, 2010
Submitted on May 13, 2011
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