Collared Pratincole
Glareola pratincola
The Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) is a uncommon coursers and pratincol found in 109 countries, weighing about 85 g. The collared pratincole, also known as the common pratincole or red-winged pratincole, is a wader in the pratincole family, Glareolidae.
About the Collared Pratincole
The collared pratincole, also known as the common pratincole or red-winged pratincole, is a wader in the pratincole family, Glareolidae. As with other pratincoles, it is native to the Old World.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This pratincole is 24–28 cm (9.4–11.0 in) long with a 60–70 cm (24–28 in) wingspan. It has short legs, long pointed wings, a long forked tail, and a short bill, which is an adaptation to aerial feeding. The back and head are brown, and the wings are brown with darker flight feathers. The belly is white. The underwings are chestnut, but look dark below. Very good views are needed to distinguish this species from other pratincoles, such as the black-winged pratincole and the oriental pratincole, which may occur in its range.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Belgium, Germany, Australia, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Ireland, Brazil, Turkmenistan, Sierra Leone, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia.
When to see it
Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in May. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Collared Pratincole?
- This pratincole is 24–28 cm (9.4–11.0 in) long with a 60–70 cm (24–28 in) wingspan. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Collared Pratincole?
- The Collared Pratincole is a medium sized bird weighing about 85 g.
- Where can you see a Collared Pratincole?
- The Collared Pratincole occurs in 109 countries, including Spain, South Africa, Israel, France and Portugal.
- What birds look similar to a Collared Pratincole?
- The Collared Pratincole is most easily confused with the Oriental Pratincole, the Small Pratincole and the Black-winged Pratincole.
- Is the Collared Pratincole endangered?
- The Collared Pratincole is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Collared Pratincole for real
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