Small Pratincole

The Small Pratincole, Little Pratincole, or Small Indian Pratincole (Glareola lactea), is a small wader in the pratincole family, Glareolidae.

The Small Pratincole is a resident breeder in India, Western Pakistan and southeast Asia. It breeds from December to March on gravel or sand banks in rivers, laying 2-4 eggs in a ground scrape. Breeding areas include small areas in northern Karnataka (along the Hemavathi river) and northern Kerala near Kannur.

This species is only 16.5-18.5 cm in length, with a 15–16 cm wingspan. Because of its small size, the Little Pratincoles can be briefly confused in flight with swifts or swallows.

This bird has short legs, long pointed wings and a short tail. Its short bill is an adaptation to aerial feeding. On the ground, it looks mainly pale grey (hence lactea, milky). The crown of the head is brown.

The wings are grey above with black primaries and black and white bars at the rear edge of the inner flight feathers. The underwings are mainly black. The tail is white with a black terminal triangle. The belly is white.

The most unusual feature of the pratincoles is that although classed as waders they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the ground.

The Small Pratincole is a species of open country, and is often seen near water in the evening, hawking for insects.

• At Purbasthali in Bardhaman District of West Bengal, India.

• At Purbasthali in Bardhaman District of West Bengal, India.

• at Jayanti in Buxa Tiger Reserve in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, India.

• at Jayanti in Buxa Tiger Reserve in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, India.