Collared Pratincole
NameCollared Pratincole
Common NameCollared Pratincole
Scientific NameGlareola pratincola
FamilyGlareolidae
Wingspan (cm)67.5
Length (cm)26
Weight (g)90
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are olive-brown, contrasting with a creamy-buff throat bordered by a thin black line, forming a distinctive 'collar'. The breast is buff, fading to white on the belly. The underwing coverts are chestnut, visible in flight. The bill is short, black with a red base, and the legs are dark.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations include a sharp 'kvit' or 'kirr-ik' call, often given in flight, and a harsher 'cherr-cherr' sound.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, wetland, coastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across southern Europe, Africa, and temperate Asia. Northern populations are migratory, wintering in tropical Africa and India, while some southern populations are resident.
Identifying Featuresblack-bordered cream throat patch, short red-based bill, swallow-like flight, chestnut underwing coverts (visible in flight), long pointed wings, forked tail
Description
The Collared Pratincole is a medium-sized wader known for its graceful, swallow-like flight as it hunts insects. It typically inhabits open, often damp, landscapes, where it can be seen foraging on the ground or in the air.
