Yellow-wattled Lapwing is permanent resident in our region.
Here they found in open fields, scrubs and dry patches around riverbed or
canals. They prefer deserted area as habitat thus called ‘વગડાઉ ટીટોડી‘ - Vagdau Titodi in Gujarati
language. They are unmistakably stand out with their black cap and bright
yellow fleshy lappets. Usually they are less noisy than Red-wattled Lapwing, so
we mostly notice them during their breeding season- chiefly April to July. Like
other lapwings and plovers, they are ground birds, laid eggs on ground.
Although its nest is look like just a collection of tiny pebbles and scrape, but
this lapwing disguise their nest so carefully that only experienced birder can
hope to find it.
We observe this lapwing in one of the canal visit. Pair of
them become instantly became alert when we stopped by. We understand presence
of their chicks which are just beside the road highly camouflaged within scrub.
There are two of them. Chicks looks too fragile and too cute. We wonder how
they can following their parents to forage for food...! or maybe they came this
far to drink water. We unable to stop ourselves from taking some quick shots.
14th April 2017
Dharpur, Patan, Gujarat, India
Nikon D500
AF-S NIKKOR
200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
