Pratincole

Collared Pratincole ( Glareola pratincola )

The subfamily of Pratincoles heard within the order of Regenpfeiferartigen into the family of Brachschwalbe -like. They have a distinctive flight pattern and live in wetlands, are long- distance migrants and occur in parts of Europe, Australia and Asia.

Features

Pratincoles are about pigeon sized birds. In their form they resemble the closely related racing birds and swallows. Especially in flight fall on their long, pointed wings. The legs are slightly shorter than the racing birds. The thin but strong beak is a good two inches long and slightly curved downward, the column is large beak. Her leg plumage is long, the birds have a swallow -like forked tail. The feet are about as long as the leg, they are thin and stilt -like. The three toes are short and carry curved claws, a smaller fourth toe, which does not touch the floor, is available. The plumage has a brownish to olive-green or gray color, the wings are usually darker. The beak and feet are red to dark gray, with the Glareola species he has a black tip. In addition, these birds have a yellowish throat, which is framed by a black band.

Way of life

Pratincoles are migratory and fly to their wintering areas often very long distances. With its wide beak they dip nets insects from the air, often they are looking for other invertebrates on the ground. They go especially at dusk in search of food. Pratincoles breed on coasts, in the wasteland, or even in steppes. The two to three yellow-brown eggs are laid on the bare ground, a real nest is not built.

Habitat and Distribution

Pratincoles inhabit open areas with little vegetation, especially fallow land, steppe areas, the shores of freshwater and brackish water lakes and marshes. They occur in southern Europe, northern Africa, southern Africa, on several Southeast Asian islands and eastern Australia.

Genera and species

There are the following genera and species are distinguished:

• Glareola Rotflügelbrachschwalbe ( Glareola pratincola )
• Black winged Pratincole ( Glareola nordmanni )
• Oriental Pratincole ( Glareola maldivarum )
• Madagascar Pratincole ( Glareola ocularis )
• Collared Pratincole ( Glareola nuchalis )
• Grey Pratincole ( Glareola cinerea)
• Sand Pratincole ( Glareola lactea )

• Stilts Pratincole ( Stiltia isabella )