Glareola maldivarum J.R.Forster, 1795

Taxonomic Naming

This is the species description for Glareola maldivarum J.R.Forster, 1795, commonly known as the Oriental pratincole.

Limb and Tail Morphology

The Oriental pratincole has short legs, long pointed wings, and a long forked tail. It has a short bill, which is an adaptation for aerial feeding.

Dorsal Coloration

Its back and head are brown; its wings are brown with black flight feathers.

Ventral Coloration

Its belly is white, and its underwings are chestnut.

Collared Pratincole Differentiation

Very clear views are required to distinguish this species from other pratincoles, especially the very similar collared pratincole, which also has a chestnut underwing.

Black-winged Pratincole Differentiation

The black-winged pratincole shares the Oriental pratincole’s black upperwing flight feathers, and lacks a white trailing edge to the wing.

Field Identification Challenges

These identifying features are not always readily visible in the field; the chestnut underwing in particular appears black unless excellent views are obtained.

Native Range

The Oriental pratincole is native to Asia.

Breeding Distribution

It breeds from North Pakistan and the Kashmir region, and ranges sporadically southward to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, Indochina, eastern China, Manchuria, and the Philippines.

Migratory Winter Range

It is a migratory species, and winters throughout the Indomalayan realm and northern Australia.