File:A Majestic Debut Spur Winged Lapwing Makes its First Appearance in Incredible India.jpg

English: Warangal's Avian Marvel: Debut Sighting of African-Mediterranean Wader Bird Marks a Historic First in India

Indigenous to North Africa, the Middle East, and Mediterranean regions, the Spur-Winged Lapwing recently made a notable appearance at Ammavaripet Lake near Warangal. Thriving predominantly in the sub-Saharan belt of central Africa, these elegant wading birds also call various Middle Eastern and East Mediterranean countries home, including Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. Found in diverse habitats such as dry grounds near bodies of fresh or saltwater, marshes, burnt grasslands, agricultural fields, saltpans, mudflats, dunes, and beaches, Spur-winged Lapwings exhibit a striking appearance with their one-foot-tall stature, distinctive brown, black, and white plumage, and vibrant red eyes.

Known for their gregarious nature, these avian wonders utilize a repertoire of vocalizations to attract mates, defend territory, and signal threats. Active both day and night, their behavioral patterns are contingent upon prey and predator concentrations. As adept ambush predators, they feed primarily on insects, insect larvae, invertebrates, small lizards, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, fish, and occasionally seeds. Equipped with long, slender legs suitable for wading and running, and large eyes crucial for hunting, Spur-winged Lapwings play a vital role in regulating invertebrate populations within their ecosystems.

Characterized by their captivating white cheek feathers, black head cap, brown wings set against a black body, and long black legs, the Spur-winged Lapwing, also known as the Spur-winged Plover, stands out as a distinguished wading bird. In their native Africa, these lapwings exhibit limited travel outside their home area, making short movements to locate wetter regions within their habitats, where they diligently forage for small invertebrates.

With variable breeding seasons dictated by their extensive range, Spur-winged Lapwings engage in solitary monogamous pairs and often join mixed-species bird nesting colonies for protection against predation. Nesting in groups contributes to the safeguarding of these birds and their offspring. Nest construction involves a scrape on the ground, sometimes lined with vegetation, where the female lays two eggs displaying yellow hues with brownish-black mottling. After a 28-day incubation period, both sexes participate in feeding the young.

Their diet, encompassing softbill, feline diet, capelin, mealworms, and insectivore diet, underscores their adaptability and role in maintaining ecological balance. An interesting aside, the Spur-Winged Lapwing earns its name from a small spur-like appendage concealed in each wing, a tool employed for defence against perceived threats to themselves or their offspring, as noted by the Beauty of Birds.

In the heart of Warangal, where history whispers through ancient stones, a new tale began to unfold. Amidst the lush landscapes and tranquil waters, an avian secret emerged – an African-Mediterranean wader bird, a wanderer from distant shores, graced the city for the first time in Indian history.