12 Mar 2018

In praise of - Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum)

In spring, Oriental Pratincoles pass through Hong Kong between the end of February and mid-May. A couple of days ago, I had the luck to come across a pond with twenty or more of these birds wheeling around taking insects in the late afternoon sunshine.

In flight they are surprisingly erratic - at least that's my excuse for not getting more shots in focus.

The low sun angle made it possible to appreciate the cinnamon-coloured underwing lining of this species.

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

Oriental Pratincole - Glareola maldivarum

A wader that flies like a swallow - what's not to like ?


10 comments:

  1. Thanks a million for this post, John. It brings back very fond memories of when you and I watched this bird together in Long Valley. Pratincoles are among the most enigmatic of birds.

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    1. My pleasure, David - pratincoles can be spectacular, as you know !

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  2. Very Nice John, I had c150 in one flock in a roadside field in Petchaburi, Thailand just last week and I suggested this number was a migrating fock, great birds, I will be uploading some of my "lesser quality" images to the blog soon. And yes it was nice watching the snow fall as I was looking out of the window at Heathrow heading for warmer climes......

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    1. Our "Prats" are strictly passage birds, too. They may breed nearby in south China, but no breeding records here - yet.

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  3. Beautiful birds. The only pratincoles I have seen were Rock Pratincoles in Uganda. They did not fly.

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    1. I've never been to Uganda, but your comment made me look up Rock Pratincole..... they are very attractive. Seems like a good reason to go there !

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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks Stu - the best of about 500 frames !

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  5. They look high quality flight pictures to me. They are a striking looking bird too. All the best to see them with wings outstretched.

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    1. Thanks, Russell - one of my favourites, certainly !

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