With wastelands being “reclaimed” for development and even tree-planting drives, yellow-wattled lapwings are being driven out of their known habitats. In comparison to the red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus) — which is the other resident lapwing in these parts — the yellow-wattled lapwing is of reduced dimensions and low-slung. But the yellow-wattled lapwing cuts the figure of someone who ignored sound advice from elders and carried a hunch into adulthood. Ornithologist V. Santharam has watched this community courtship behaviour by yellow-wattled lapwings many years ago at what is now MRC Nagar. Back at the IIS campus, this report points out that the yellow-wattled lapwings had turned the space into their hearth, as sightings of yellow-wattled lapwings with their chicks were almost a given during the breeding season.

Source: The Hindu July 07, 2021 09:13 UTC