Why in news
Decades ago, in Madras, a yellow-wattled lapwing was hardly a rara avis.
Fast forward to 2024, a yellow-wattled lapwing sighting in the uttermost reaches of Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) is something to shout about.
The sighting of two yellow-wattled lapwings recently on a dry, sandy patch on East Coast Road was.
This patch arrived after ECR had rolled considerably into the depths of CMA.
The yellow-wattled lapwing is among species affected by the loss of open grasslands and scrubs.
Yellow-wattled lapwing
The yellow-wattled lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus) is a medium-sized wading bird found in the Indian Subcontinent.
It's a resident breeder across most of peninsular India, and its range extends just into southern Pakistan.
They are conspicuous and unmistakable birds found in dry stony and open grassland or scrub habitats.
These birds are known for their loud calls and fast flight.
They typically don’t migrate but are known to make seasonal movements within their range in response to the monsoon rains.
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