Least Concern

Length about 35–38 cm; wingspan 70–80 cm; weight ~150–200 g. Medium-sized wader with long legs, striking black, white, and brown plumage, and prominent red facial wattles.

Resident across most of its range in South and Southeast Asia; local movements may occur depending on habitat availability, particularly in arid regions during dry season.

No major long-distance migration; some populations shift locally to water-rich areas during droughts.

Mostly March to July, coinciding with pre-monsoon and early monsoon rains; breeding can vary slightly regionally. Males perform aerial displays and loud calls to attract females.

Nests are simple ground scrapes, often lined with small stones, pebbles, or dry grass. Clutch size is typically 3 eggs. Both parents incubate and fiercely defend the nest from predators. Chicks are precocial and follow parents shortly after hatching.

Prefers open plains, dry grasslands, cultivated fields, wetlands, riverbanks, and sandy areas. Often seen near human habitation, irrigation canals, and ponds. Avoids dense forests.

Feeds on insects, worms, mollusks, small crustaceans, and seeds. Forages mostly on bare ground by sight, walking slowly and picking prey from surface or shallow soil.