Indian Thick-knee (Burhinus indicus) and Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) interactions with plants at the urban landscapes (Jodhpur, India)

Abstract

Interactions between plants and ground-nesting birds, as well as the breeding behaviour of the Indian Thick-knee (Burhinus indicus Salvadori) and the Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus Boddaert), were documented in an urban landscape in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Field observations focused on nesting habitats, breeding behaviour, and the role of vegetation in supporting these species. Double clutching during the breeding season of V. indicus was recorded and documented. The study also examines the coexistence of flora and fauna within a small protected urban habitat and highlights the ecological role of native plant species in enhancing urban biodiversity. The results indicate that
ground-nesting birds rely heavily on camouflaged nesting sites, vegetation cover, and active parental defence to maximize reproductive success. Territorial behaviour and spatial separation between nests help reduce intraspecific conflicts, while breeding timing and double clutching appear to represent adaptive responses to predation and environmental conditions. These findings emphasize the importance of native vegetation in providing shelter, nesting substrates, and food resources for birds in arid urban ecosystems.