First record of a regularly occupied nesting ground of Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus (Boddaert) in agricultural environs of Punjab with notes on its biology
Charn Kumar
Amongst the three resident species of Lapwings reported from Punjab, the Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus (Boddaert) is considered as a rare bird in Punjab. Except for some scattered sightings, to date, there has been no report of regular presence of Yellow-wattled Lapwing inhabiting a particular area in Punjab. During the present study spanning over a period of 12 months (January 2014 - December 2014), the hitherto unrecorded continuous occurrence of a group of individuals in a particular area (latitude: 30; 43; 52.60 N & longitude: 76; 09; 54.59 E) situated alongside the Delhi-Ludhiana National Highway past Khanna city have been noticed. In the months of April-May 2014, the two pairs of individuals laid a total of four clutches consisting of four eggs each. Preliminary observations have been made on its feeding, nesting and breeding biology. The presently recorded habitat is a private land and the lapwing individuals are facing twin threats of habitat deterioration and its eventual destruction. The study necessitates immediate initiative
Charn Kumar . First record of a regularly occupied nesting ground of Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus (Boddaert) in agricultural environs of Punjab with notes on its biology. J Entomol Zool Stud 2015;3(1):129-134.