Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Glareola lactea
Family: Coursers and Pratincoles · Status: Vagrant · Size: 16–19 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Found from the Indian subcontinent to southern China, Myanmar and Indochina, wintering to the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Singapore.
A stout bird that is pale sandy grey above with a white eyering, black lores, and a vibrantly red base of bill. Rump is white with a black subterminal tail band, flight feathers are black and contrast with the sandy coverts when perched. Underwing is black with a white bar across the secondaries, throat is tan, breast is sandy grey as with upperparts, shading to white on the belly, flanks, and undertail coverts. Non-breeding adult loses the black lores. Separated from much more common Oriental Pratincole by smaller, more compact shape, plain head with no dark throat border and black (as opposed to chestnut) underwing coverts. Juvenile shows mottling on coverts and has throat bordered by brown spots and streaks.
Open country near water, including rivers, wetlands, golf courses, and reservoirs.
Forages in flocks in the evening or at dawn, flying in zigzagging, swallow or bat-like patterns over water or open ground.