Where science fails, the lapwing warns first
The lapwing is no ordinary bird, but a silent sentinel of nature. Farmers have long been used to predict rainfall, floods, or famine by observing the number, location, and timing of its eggs. Science also recognizes that such birds are “ecosystem indicators,” signaling environmental changes in advance. Today, their habitats are under threat due to urbanization and the use of chemicals. If we ignore the warnings of birds like the lapwing, our vulnerability to future disasters will decrease even further. Therefore, we must protect them and listen seriously to their messages.
Rural life in India has been in deep dialogue with nature for centuries. Farms, weather, and animals together influence both a farmer’s daily routine and future. Amidst all this, the lapwing is a small bird, seemingly insignificant to the naked eye, but in the memories of farmers and folklore, it is considered a sentinel, an accurate weather forecaster. It is not just a bird, but a medium of communication between earth and sky, a silent messenger that foretells both crisis and prosperity.
Rural experiences show that the lapwing’s behavior provides important clues for determining the weather and agricultural direction. If it lays four eggs, it is believed to bring good rainfall for four months. When it lays eggs at a height, people believe that there will be more rainfall than usual. If it is forced to lay eggs on a roof or tree, it is considered a sign of a severe flood. However, if it does not lay eggs, it is the most frightening situation, as people consider it a harbinger of famine. Farmers say that the fields where the lapwing lays eggs are never empty; they are sure to yield crops. Thus, this bird not only provides clues related to rainfall and weather, but also serves as a warning of extreme conditions such as drought and famine.
Another folk belief is that the dead body of the lapwing is never seen anywhere except in Kurukshetra. Whether this is fact or symbolic, this belief makes it a symbol of the protection of life and existence. A farmer who sees the lapwing understands that this bird protects his soil, crops, and future. This is why the lapwing is also mentioned in rural folk songs and proverbs. It is one of those creatures whose activities have been relied upon for generations.
Now the question arises: when science has developed sophisticated tools like satellites, radar, and computer models for weather forecasting, what role do birds like the lapwing have? The answer is that science and folk experience complement each other, not contradict each other. Scientifically, birds like the lapwing are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Air humidity, temperature fluctuations, ground moisture, and water table rises and falls—all of these impact their behavior. This is why, in scientific parlance, they are called “ecosystem indicators.” That is, creatures that, through their behavior, provide us with timely information about environmental changes.
Our ancestors, without resorting to the tools of science, understood these signals empirically and capitalized on them. For centuries, farmers have monitored the movements of the lapwing. If it delayed its egg-laying season, farmers would become alert. If it left the ground and moved to higher ground, they would become aware of increased rainfall and potential flooding. Thus, what folk experience has revealed is actually rooted in scientific reasoning. The only difference is that farmers expressed these signals in their own language and symbols.
Today, as we are immersed in the glare of urbanization and industrialization, the biggest crisis is that we have almost stopped listening to the silent language of nature. Urban dwellers often don’t notice when a bird’s habits are changing, when its numbers are dwindling, or when its voice is changing. This carelessness leaves us helpless in the face of sudden disasters. If we take the messages of the lapwing and other birds seriously, our capacity for disaster management could increase exponentially.
It is also said of the lapwing that this bird never leaves a field empty. Its laying eggs; there is a symbol of reassurance for farmers. This belief itself holds a profound message: nature never disappoints humans, provided we respect it. But when we break nature’s rules and tamper with it, even its guardian birds are forced to change their signals. This is why, at times, we can foresee a situation like a flood or famine in advance through the lapwing’s behavior.
The importance of this bird isn’t limited to rural life. It reminds us that every form of life is intertwined with the vast fabric of the environment. When a tiny bird can project a vision of the future through its eggs, it also serves as a warning to us not to tamper with this system. Science also tells us that even the smallest changes in the environment are first felt by birds and small creatures. If we listen to them in time, we can avoid major tragedies.
From an editorial perspective, it’s appropriate to say that the lapwing is no ordinary bird. It teaches us that knowledge comes not only from laboratories and satellites, but also from farms and the behavior of animals. While modern science is based on data and technology, the lapwing offers warnings based on instinct and natural connection. Building a bridge between the two is the greatest need today.
The most important question today is conservation. If birds like the lapwing disappear from our midst, not only will popular belief be shattered, but a vital part of the environmental warning system will also be lost. To conserve them, we must reduce excessive pesticide use in fields, protect natural habitats, and conserve water sources. This will not only be the conservation of a bird, but also a safeguard for our own future and survival.
The conclusion is that while science relies on data and machines, birds like the lapwing provide instinctive warnings. Science may be late in its warning, but the lapwing warns in advance. Our greatest challenge is to listen to this silent communication and act accordingly. If we ignore this call, not only will the lapwing disappear, but the message it conveys will also be lost from our lives.
