Large. Red wattle above base of bill. Sexes alike.
Adults: Head, throat, center of breast, black. White patch on ear coverts. Eye, brown. Mantle, wing coverts, back, pale brown. Wing tips, rear edge of tail, black. Tail has black subterminal band. Wing patches, base and tip of tail, and rest of underparts, white. Underwing, white with black tips to primaries and secondaries. Has a red wattle above the base of the bill. Bill, red with a black tip. Legs, yellow.
Other Scientific Names
Hoplopterus indicus [AERC TAC (2003)], Hoplopterus indicus [Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994)]
Other Names (World)
Red-wattled Lapwing, Red-wattled Plover, Indian Decorated Lapwing
Afghanistan (B), Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (mainland), India, Indonesia, Iran [Islamic Republic of], Iraq (B) (NB), Israel, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey (B) (NB), Turkmenistan (B), United Arab Emirates, Vietnam.
Vagrant to Jordan, Qatar.
Population
Estimated population is 51,000 - 60,000 (2010).
Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) [XC652830]
by Jelle Scharringa from Rathmalana (near Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia), Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka (?)
Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) [XC592881]
by Ding Li Yong from Tangalle, Hambantota, Southern Province, Sri Lanka (alarm call)
Subspecies
Apart from atronuchalis, differences between subspecies mostly clinal, involving depth of gloss, coloration of upperparts and size.