Small Pratincole
A species of Typical pratincoles Scientific name : Glareola lactea Genus : Typical pratincoles
Small Pratincole, A species of Typical pratincoles
Botanical name: Glareola lactea
Genus: Typical pratincoles
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Harshakamanuru , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
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. 
Size
17 cm
Nest Placement
Ground
Feeding Habits
Small Pratincole prey on a variety of insects including beetles, flies, and termites, often catching them mid-flight in crepuscular flocks. They exhibit a zigzag flying pattern, akin to swallows, and may also run on the ground to feed, reminiscent of plovers.
Habitat
The small Pratincole typically inhabits regions near large rivers and streams, frequenting exposed sandbars, rocky islands, and shingle banks. It is also found in coastal marshes and estuaries, as well as large inland lakes outside of the breeding season. These environments are spread across broader geographical regions that provide the necessary ecological conditions for the species.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Distribution Area
The small pratincole is a resident breeder in India, Western Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It breeds from December to March on gravel or sand banks near rivers and lakes, laying 2-4 eggs in a ground scrape. Breeding areas include small areas in northern Karnataka (manvi district raichur.(and along the Hemavathi River) and northern Kerala near Kannur. This species is only 16.5-18.5 cm in length, with a 42–48 cm wingspan. Because of its small size, the small pratincole can be briefly confused in flight with swifts or swallows.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Shorebirds Family
Pratincoles and coursers Genus
Typical pratincoles Species
Small Pratincole 
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