Oriental Pratincole

Scientific Name: Glareola maldivarum
Malay Name: Kedidi-Padang Biasa
Chinese Name: 普通燕鸻

Range:
Breeds in Indochina, East Asia, northern Philippines and some sites around India and Sri Lanka. Winters in Southeast Asia to Australia.

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 23-24 cm

Identification:
A medium-sized greyish bird with very distinct facial and throat markings. It's shape is somewhat similar to a tern, both when perches and in flight with its long, slender and pointed wings. Underwings coverts are bright red. The similar and very rare Small Pratincole is much more compact in shape, lacks facial markings and has black underwing coverts.

Similar looking species: Small Pratincole

Habitat: Freshwater marshes, open country, coastal lagoons

Behaviour/Ecology: Often observed migrating in the day during October to November in flocks exceeding 100 birds. Single birds occasionally found in freshwater puddles.

Local Status: Uncommon passage migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Location: Throughout Singapore during the migratory season, especially at known raptor watching sites. Sometimes seen at freshwater puddles, typically temporary ones that form at construction sites or grassfields in places like Seletar and Jurong.

Featured reports: Mar 2022

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Oriental Pratincole at Marina East Drive. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Pratincole at Marina East Drive. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Pratincole at Marina East Drive. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Pratincole at Tuas South. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Pratincole at Seletar Dam. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Pratincole at Seletar Dam. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Pratincole at Neo Tiew Harvest Lane. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Oriental Pratincole at NSRCC Kranji. Photo credit: Francis Yap