Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Glareola maldivarum
Family: Coursers and Pratincoles · Status: Uncommon migrant · Size: 23–24 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Breeds in East Asia, Indochina, the northern Philippines, and parts of India and Sri Lanka. Winters across Southeast Asia and Indonesia to Australia.
Olive-brown above, throat is yellow-brown and bordered by a narrow black collar, base of bill is vibrant red, upper breast is brown lightening down to a paler brown then white on the belly, flight feathers are black contrasting with olive-brown wing coverts. In flight, shows a characteristic tern-like shape with a forked tail and black terminal band, underwing coverts are chestnut, and rump is white. In non-breeding plumage the collar becomes indistinct or significantly less prominent, with light mottling on the crown, and loses the vibrant red at base of bill. The similar but very rare Small Pratincole is more compact, has a plain head with no dark throat border, and black (as opposed to chestnut) underwing coverts.
Open country near water, including rivers, wetlands, golf courses, and reservoirs.
Often seen migrating by day in October–November in large flocks. Often crepuscular when foraging, catching insects on the wing in open fields near water bodies.