Red-wattled Lapwing
Vanellus indicus
The Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) is a common plovers and lapwing found in 27 countries, weighing about 181 g. The red-wattled lapwing is an Asian lapwing or large plover, a wader in the family Charadriidae.
About the Red-wattled Lapwing
The red-wattled lapwing is an Asian lapwing or large plover, a wader in the family Charadriidae. Like other lapwings they are ground birds that are incapable of perching. Their characteristic loud alarm calls are indicators of human or animal movements and the sounds have been variously rendered as did he do it or pity to do it leading to the colloquial name of did-he-do-it bird. Usually seen in pairs or small groups not far from water, they sometimes form large aggregations in the non-breeding season (winter). They nest in a ground scrape laying three to four camouflaged eggs. Adults near the nest fly around, diving at potential predators while calling noisily. The cryptically patterned…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
What the Red-wattled Lapwing sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Netherlands.
When to see it
The Red-wattled Lapwing can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Red-wattled Lapwing?
- Red-wattled lapwings are large waders, about 35 cm (14 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Red-wattled Lapwing?
- The Red-wattled Lapwing is a medium sized bird weighing about 181 g.
- Where can you see a Red-wattled Lapwing?
- The Red-wattled Lapwing occurs in 27 countries, including India, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
- What does a Red-wattled Lapwing sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Red-wattled Lapwing on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Red-wattled Lapwing?
- The Red-wattled Lapwing is most easily confused with the Masked Lapwing, the Southern Lapwing and the Blacksmith Lapwing.
- Is the Red-wattled Lapwing endangered?
- The Red-wattled Lapwing is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Red-wattled Lapwing for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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