Red-wattled Lapwing

Overview

The red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus) is a large wader and ground bird found across Asia that is incapable of perching. Known for its loud, scolding alarm calls, it is an abundant and ubiquitous species in much of its range, often acting as an early indicator of human or animal movement.

Identification

• 35 cm long wader with a black head and a prominent red fleshy wattle in front of each eye.
• Light brown back and wings with a purple to green sheen, contrasting with a short black-tipped tail and white wing bars visible in flight.
• Long yellow legs and a black-tipped red bill.
• Emits a loud, noisy call variously rendered as 'did he do it' or 'pity to do it' to signal intrusions.

Habitat

This species inhabits well-watered open country, including ploughed fields, grazing land, and the margins of tanks and puddles. It ranges across South and Southeast Asia, from West Asia through the Indian subcontinent to the Malay Peninsula, and is largely resident though it may migrate altitudinally in spring and autumn.

Diet

The bird feeds primarily on insects, snails, and other invertebrates picked from the ground, occasionally consuming grains. It forages by running in short spurts and dipping forward, sometimes using its legs to disturb prey from soft soil, and is active both during the day and at night.

Did you know?

The bird is exceptionally vigilant and serves as a living alarm system, so effectively detecting intrusions that local hunters considered it a nuisance for betraying their presence. Its distinctive call has even given it the colloquial name 'did-he-do-it bird'.