Small Pratincole
Glareola lactea
Small bird that resembles a combination of a dove, a swallow, and a plover. Soft gray-brown with a tan wash on the throat and black lores. Black-and-white wing pattern prominent in flight. Flight agile and erratic, resembling a bat or swallow; frequently flies in flocks at dusk. Favors rocky or sandy islands in rivers, but can also be found in marshes, estuaries, and lakesides. Distinguished from other pratincoles in range by smaller size and gray plumage. Calls are a high rolling “chirrit!”, reminiscent of terns.
Identification
This bird has short legs, long pointed wings and a short tail. Its short bill is an adaptation to aerial feeding. On the ground, it looks mainly pale grey (hence lactea, milky). The crown of the head is brown.<p>The wings are grey above with black primaries and black and white bars at the rear edge of the inner flight feathers. The underwings are mainly black. The tail is white with a black terminal triangle. The belly is white.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Glareola lactea
- Authority
- Temminck, 1820
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Glareolidae
- Genus
- Glareola
Range and habitat
The small pratincole is a resident breeder in India, Western Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It breeds from December to March on gravel or sand banks near rivers and lakes, laying 2–4 eggs in a ground scrape. Breeding areas include small areas in northern Karnataka (manvi district raichur.(and along the Hemavathi River) and northern Kerala near Kannur.<p>This species is only 16.5–18.5 cm (6.5–7.3 in) in length, with a 42–48 cm (17–19 in) wingspan. Because of its small size, the small pratincole can be briefly confused in flight with swifts or swallows.
- Breeding range
- OR : foothills to sub-Himalayan rivers from ne s to Sri Lanka, e through Nepal, Bhutan, s Yunnan (s China) to Vietnam
- Non-breeding range
- to other waterbody types
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
The most unusual feature of the pratincoles is that although classed as waders they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the ground.<p>The small pratincole is a species of open country, and is often seen near water in the evening, hawking for insects.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-rumped Swallow
Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Slim, long-tailed swallow with pale underparts and dark blue upperparts. The gray rump is not conspicuous when perched but can be discerned in flight. Found in grassland and open savanna, usually near water. Frequently in small flocks. Notable for its unusual habit of nesting in rodent burrows! Similar to Common House Martin, but has a gray rather than white rump, and a longer, slimmer tail.
White-crowned Shama
Copsychus stricklandii
Black with an orange belly and bright white crown; also note white rump and undertail. Endemic to northern Borneo, where it inhabits lowland and foothill forests, including swamps and around streams. Typically forages on or close to the ground. Loud, vibrant song is beautiful and variable, consisting of a range of whistles, warbles, and harsher notes.
Philippine Collared-Dove
Streptopelia dusumieri
Brownish dove with a short collar of large dark scales, a gray head, and a pinkish flush on the neck and breast. Native to the Philippines, where now declining and uncommon; fairly common in introduced range (Guam and Northern Mariana Islands). Favors open forest and edges in its native range; often in towns and cities where introduced. Gives a loud, somewhat melancholy “cOO-cuh-COO”.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.