Bird parenting

We have just returned from a wonderful week-long family holiday in Corbett National Park, Ranikhet and Nainital. Lots of new birds and experiences. Am collating my notes and photos from the trip and will post a series in the next few days. Meanwhile here's an update from Jaipur.

Yes, that's right. The forest of legs visible under the crouching Red-wattled Lapwing are actually those of the brood. The young ones, I know, are not more than a few days old, and are very vulnerable. So this is one of the strategems that the parents have devised to protect their offspring - of actually 'taking them under the wing'.

In fact, this particular species, amongst the most ubiquitous of birds in India, is fiercely protective of its youngsters. And the dangers are many, particularly in urban areas. From dogs to raptors, and even Man, the most threatening of all - the parents will even divebomb interlopers calling loudly in alarm and chase them off.

Here is another photograph of a common bird of urban Parks and agricultural areas around Indian cities. The Grey Francolin. Their numbers are dwindling alarmingly. So we wish this family all success.

Note how the parent is hiding a youngling 'under the wing' when I get too close to photograph them.