As the monsoon season arrives, one bird often becomes the subject of discussion in many rural communities: the Titihari, also known as the lapwing. According to News18 Hindi report, long before modern weather forecasts, people believed this bird could offer clues about the arrival and intensity of rainfall through its nesting and egg-laying behaviour.
According to local traditions, the Titihari is more than just a bird. Many people believe its eggs can indicate how much rain a region may receive. These beliefs have been passed down through generations and continue to be discussed during the monsoon season.
Jeevan Lal Upadhyay, a 90-year-old resident of Rahli in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, says he has never seen a Titihari perched on a tree. He explains that elders traditionally believed the number of eggs collected by the bird after disturbance could indicate the number of months of rainfall expected that year.
Another popular belief is linked to where the bird lays its eggs. According to local folklore, if a Titihari lays eggs near a riverbed, the river’s flow is not expected to rise significantly until the chicks hatch. People often interpret this as a sign of lower rainfall or delayed heavy rains.
The Titihari is often called a farmer’s friend. The bird feeds on insects found in agricultural fields and is frequently seen following tractors or bullock carts during ploughing and sowing, feeding on insects that emerge from the soil.
Dr Manish Jain, a visiting scholar at the Zoology Department of Bandri College in Sagar, says that while these stories are widely known in rural areas, there is currently no scientific evidence linking monsoon rainfall patterns to the bird’s eggs or nesting behaviour.
However, experts note that the Titihari can indicate the presence of nearby water sources. The bird usually lays its eggs on the ground in moist areas, and both male and female birds take turns protecting them. Its presence often suggests that water is available nearby.
Whether viewed through folklore or science, the Titihari remains one of the most fascinating birds associated with the monsoon. Its behaviour continues to spark curiosity, blending traditional wisdom with observations of the natural world.
