Gray-headed Lapwing (Vanellus cinereus) – A Detailed Study

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Charadriiformes
• Family: Charadriidae
• Genus: Vanellus
• Species: Vanellus cinereus

Morphology & Identification

The Gray-headed Lapwing is a medium-sized wader bird recognized for its distinctive plumage and physical characteristics.

• Size: Approximately 34–37 cm in length.
• Wingspan: Around 70–80 cm.
• Weight: Typically ranges between 190–250 g.
• Head & Neck: Pale grayish head and neck, giving it its name.
• Body: The upperparts are mostly brownish-gray, while the underparts are white with a contrasting black breast band.
• Wings: Display prominent black flight feathers with a white trailing edge, visible in flight.
• Bill: Short, yellow with a distinct black tip.
• Legs: Long, bright yellow, adapted for wading through wetlands.
• Eyes: Dark brown with a sharp, alert look.

Habitat & Distribution

The Gray-headed Lapwing primarily inhabits:

• Wetlands, riverbanks, and marshy fields with low vegetation.
• Floodplains, rice paddies, and estuarine regions.
• Grasslands and mudflats, where they forage for food.
• Migratory Range: Breeds in Northeast China, Japan, and parts of Korea, and migrates to South and Southeast Asia for the winter.

Behavior & Ecology

• Feeding Habits: Feeds on insects, mollusks, small crustaceans, and seeds found in shallow waters and mudflats.
• Breeding Season: Typically from April to July in breeding zones.
• Nesting: Builds simple nests on open ground or grasslands with minimal cover.
• Vocalization: Emits a sharp, repetitive “kek-kek” or “chee-chee” call, especially during flight.
• Migration: Migratory bird, moving southward during winter to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.

Presence of Gray-headed Lapwing in Sundarban

The Sundarban, the world’s largest mangrove forest, provides a rich ecosystem for various migratory and resident birds. While the Gray-headed Lapwing is not a common resident species of the Sundarban, it has been observed as a winter visitor in certain parts of the region.

• Occurrence in Sundarban:

  • Typically seen in the mudflats and tidal riverbanks.
  • Most sightings occur during November to March, aligning with its migratory pattern.
  • Prefers the fringe areas of Sundarban, especially near open wetlands and agricultural fields.

• Adaptation to Sundarban Ecosystem:

  • Uses shallow mudflats for foraging.
  • Feeds on small aquatic invertebrates found in brackish waters.
  • Often seen in mixed flocks with other waders like Red-wattled Lapwings, Black-tailed Godwits, and Common Sandpipers.
  • Faces threats from habitat destruction, tidal erosion, and climate change impacts in the region.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC), but its population is declining due to habitat loss and wetland degradation.
• Threats:
  • Wetland destruction for agriculture and urbanization.
  • Climate change impacts, especially rising sea levels affecting mudflat habitats.
  • Disturbance from human activities, including fishing and tourism.

Conclusion

The Gray-headed Lapwing (Vanellus cinereus) is an interesting migratory species that enriches the biodiversity of India’s wetlands, including the Sundarban. Though not a common resident, its presence in the mangrove fringes and wetland areas during winter highlights the importance of Sundarban as a crucial habitat for migratory shorebirds. Conservation efforts focusing on wetland protection and sustainable ecotourism will help maintain the ecological balance necessary for species like the Gray-headed Lapwing to thrive.