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 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, Oct 2022, Nov 2022, Dec 2022, Oct 2023
Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link
eBird Species page: eBird (Oriental Pratincole)
References:
BirdLife International. (2016). Glareola maldivarum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694132A93440161.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023
Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.
RECOMMENDED CITATION
Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Oriental Pratincole. Retrieved on December 5, 2023 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/oriental-pratincole.