Breeding biology of red wattled lapwing (Vanellus Indicus) from Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

This study documented some aspects of breeding biology of Red Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) such as breeding season, nest structure, clutch size, incubation period, hatching and fledgling success in Bahawalpur District. We selected 6 sites for the observation; barren, open, cultivated, grassy, area along road sides, and constructed areas with the common vegetation of Cynodon dactylon, Ziziphus mauritiana, Albizia procera, Cincrus ciliarus, Cincrus biflorus, Arva jawanica, Eucalyptus cameldulensis, Acacia nilotica, Prosopis juliflora and Conocarpus spp. During the breeding season, the male selects territory. Breeding season starts from April to June. Both male and female participate in nest formation, incubation and other parental duties. Clutch size was mostly 4 and the mean of the clutch size was 4±0.0 (range 0-4). The incubation period of the eggs was 25-28 days and the average of the incubation period was 27.1±0.4. Total eggs were 24 in 6 nests, out of which 22 were hatched. The percentage of hatched eggs was 91% and the mean hatching rate was 91.6±5.2 per clutch. Fledgling success was 79.1±7.6 and the percentage of the fledging was 79%. Predation rate in red wattled lapwing was also observed; it was very high due to anthropogenic activities.   Key words: Red wattled lapwing, breeding biology, Vanellus indicus, Southern Punjab.