Black-winged Pratincole
A species of Typical pratincoles Scientific name : Glareola nordmanni Genus : Typical pratincoles
Black-winged Pratincole, A species of Typical pratincoles
Botanical name: Glareola nordmanni
Genus: Typical pratincoles
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Nigel Voaden
Description
The black-winged pratincole (Glareola nordmanni) is a wader in the pratincole bird family, Glareolidae. The genus name is a diminutive of Latin glarea, "gravel", referring to a typical nesting habitat for pratincoles. The species name commemorates the Finnish-born zoologist and explorer Alexander von Nordmann. An unusual feature of the pratincoles is that, although classed as waders, they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the ground. The black-winged pratincole is a bird of open country and is often seen near water in the evening, hawking for insects. This pratincole is found in warmer parts of south east Europe and south west Asia. Its 2–4 eggs are laid on the ground. It is migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, and is rare north or west of the breeding range. It is 24–28 cm (9.4–11.0 in) long, with short legs, long pointed wings and a forked tail. It has a short bill, which is an adaptation to aerial feeding. The back and head are brown, and the wings are brown with black flight feathers. The belly is white and the underwings are black. Very good views are needed to distinguish this species from other pratincoles, such as the collared pratincole and the oriental pratincole which may occur in its range. It is marginally larger than the collared pratincole, and is shorter-tailed and longer legged. Although the dark underwing and lack of a white trailing edge to the wing are diagnostic, these features are not always readily seen in the field, especially as the chestnut underwing of the collared pratincole appears black unless excellent views are obtained. The black-winged pratincole is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. The Acanthocephalan parasite Apororhynchus paulonucleatus was discovered in the intestine of the black-winged pratincole.
Size
26 cm
Nest Placement
Ground
Feeding Habits
Black-winged Pratincole primarily consumes insects such as locusts, grasshoppers, and beetles, often hunting in large flocks during swarming events. Prefers foraging on the wing or running after prey on the ground, mainly at dawn, dusk, or after dusk, exhibiting a flexible feeding behavior.
Habitat
The black-winged Pratincole is typically found in Eurasian habitats that include saline and alkaline steppes, grasslands, and arable lands, particularly where soil conditions are saline with sparse vegetation. It thrives near water sources such as river valleys, lakeshores, and wet meadows and shows a preference for areas impacted by heavy grazing. Habitually, these birds are near human settlements, and during non-breeding periods, they can be found in open grasslands and mudflats.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Photo By Nigel Voaden
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Shorebirds Family
Pratincoles and coursers Genus
Typical pratincoles Species
Black-winged Pratincole