Over-heating but will not leave its eggs

A Red-wattled Lapwing panting in direct sunlight at the peak of an Indian summer but doggedly incubating and protecting its eggs from the oppressive heat.

Red-wattled Lapwing or titeeri (Vanellus indicus) is a very common breeding resident in Haryana and indeed across the plains of India. This bird is found in open areas and wetlands. Its Hindi name is Titahri, Titeeri. The size of this bird is 33 cm. The wings and back are light brown with a purple sheen, but head and chest and front part of neck are black. Prominently white patch runs between these two colours, from belly and tail, flanking the neck to the sides of crown. Short tail is tipped black. A red fleshy wattle in front of each eye, black-tipped red bill, and the long legs are yellow. The breeding season of this bird is mainly March to Augustand it seem to be quite as active and wide awake at night as in daytime. The call of the Red-wattled Lapwing is lound and sounds like 'Did-he-do-it?', 'Pity-to-do-it' or 'Did-Ye-Do-It'. Red Wattled Lapwing mainly feeds on Insects, snails and other invertebrates, which are picked from the ground. This is a ground-nesting member of the plover family.

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