Oriental Pratincole
Glareola maldivarum
The Oriental Pratincole is a rare and occasional visitor to Britain, typically seen during the summer months, often in coastal areas and wetlands. It is a notable species due to its distinctive appearance and unusual habits, making it a highly sought-after sighting among British birdwatchers.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Oriental Pratincole in the field.
The Oriental Pratincole can be identified by its long, pointed wings, forked tail, and distinctive black stripe that runs through its eye, with a brown back and white underside. Its overall shape and colouration make it a unique sight in British skies.
The Oriental Pratincole is slightly larger than a Lapwing, with a slender build that belies its agile and swift flight capabilities.
The male Oriental Pratincole has a distinctive breeding plumage, featuring a black stripe through the eye, a brown back, and a white belly, with a reddish-brown throat patch that is most pronounced during the breeding season.
The female Oriental Pratincole is similar to the male, although the throat patch may be less pronounced, and the overall colouration can be slightly duller, especially outside of the breeding season.
The Oriental Pratincole has a sharp, high-pitched call, often described as a loud, piercing "pee-pee-pee" or "krit-krit-krit", which can be heard during flight or when the bird is alarmed.
The Oriental Pratincole is a ground-nesting species that feeds on insects, often in flight, using its long wings to pursue and catch prey in mid-air, and can be seen performing swift, agile aerial chases in pursuit of food.
The Oriental Pratincole can be confused with other pratincole species, such as the Collared Pratincole, but can be distinguished by its distinctive black eye stripe, forked tail, and reddish-brown throat patch, which are unique to this species.
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