Australian Pratincole vs Collared Pratincole

Australian Pratincole

Glareola isabella

Small65 g

The Australian pratincole is a medium-sized slender shorebird with long legs, long pointed wings and a short decurved bill. It is 19–24 cm (7.5–9.4 in) long, has a wingspan of 50–60 cm (20–24 in) and weighs 55–75 g (1.9–2.6 oz). The sexes look alike but their breeding and non-breeding plumage differs. In their breeding plumage, the head, neck, breast and upperparts are a sandy brown grading. The wings are pointed and black and there is a black loral strip. The chin and throat are white and the breast is a sandy brown. The bill is bright red with a black base and the iris is dark brown. Voice: The Australian pratincole is known to call during summer thunderstorms. The calls are sweet or plaintive whistles, or very soft and muted trills and loud sharp notes. No difference in calls between males and females has been identified. Four different types of calls have been clearly identified: Flight call — sweet whistling upslurred weeteet or quirriepeet.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

Collared Pratincole

Glareola pratincola

Medium85 gGrassland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Steve Garvie (rainbirder) · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Australian Pratincole and Collared Pratincole.