Population structure, behavior, and distribution pattern of the river lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii (Lesson, 1826)

A field study was carried out to investigate the population status, behavior, and distribution pattern of river lapwings during the study period of 2015-2017 in the Raebareli district, Uttar Pradesh, India. There was a significant difference in the mean population of river lapwings along the study sites but less significant difference in the mean population seasonally. An average of 541 individuals of river lapwings have been reported during the study period. The mean population size was maximum (164.5 ± 28.67) at Gegaso in 2016 and minimum (56.25 ± 28.34) at Sultanpur Barhaia in 2017, whereas the seasonal population status showed maximum (199.5 ± 2.12) count in the summer season at Gegaso and minimum (52.0 ± 4.2) in winter at Sultanpur Barhaia. Moreover, maximum (n = 38) nesting pairs were estimated at Gegaso and least (n = 11) at Unchahar. There was less significant difference in the number of chicks counted in both the breeding seasons (2016 and 2017), but significantly a higher number of chicks (n = 86) were documented at Gegaso and least (n = 25) at Sultanpur Barhaia. Overall, there was no significant difference in the behavioral activities during the breeding and nonbreeding season. The present study clearly indicates that the river bank was the most preferred habitat type and that the distribution pattern was found to be clumped in river lapwings.