COLLARED PRATINCOLE
Although the collared pratincole is classed as a wader, this bird catches its prey on the wing. It twists and turns like a tern while chasing its food. Up to 280mm long, it has long pointed wings which can reach 700mm long. They have short, dark legs and a short dark bill, but the tail is long and forked. The belly is white and the under wings are chestnut coloured. The back and head are brown, as are the upper wings, but the flight feathers are darker. The adult summer plumage includes a yellow chin, bordered in black with a red spot behind the bill.
The collared pratincole winters in tropical Africa and migrates North to the Mediterranean for breeding in the Summer. They like open country but prefer to be near water. They hunt mostly insects when flying, but they will also chase insects on the ground. The collared pratincole nests in colonies, using a shallow scrape on the ground, near water. 2 to 4 eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents. The eggs hatch after 18 days and the chicks leave the nest after a couple of days. Both parents feed the chicks which fledge after 4 weeks.
