Birdwatching can be something of a pastime in Umred, a free for all entertainment and a fascinating pursuit. However, don’t just keep your eyes focused on the trees or the sky, because, sometimes you can even spot nests and eggs, if you watch your steps. Especially these in the picture, eggs of Red-wattled Lapwing, very common in the region.
Named for the vivid red, fleshy, wrinkled skin, or wattle, in front of each eye, red wattled can get noisy with their alarm calls leading to colloquial names like the did-he-do-it bird. Also called titeeri in Hindi & titvi in Marathi.
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Picture available under the Creative Commons AttributionLicense
If you happen to spot these, try not to get too close because you can be attacked like I was – well almost. They are very protective of their eggs.
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Red-wattled Lapwings lay eggs on open grounds or not far up from the ground. No wonder their eggs are so well camouflaged. They have to be, if they are to have any chance of survival out in the open, accessible to all. I am curious to see if life would make it out of these eggs. Keeping my fingers crossed.
