Appearance:

Only likely to be confused with other pratincoles, but diagnostic field marks often difficult to see. Differs from Collared Pratincole by black underwing and lack of white trailing edge to upperwing (both characters requires good light). Tail streamers shorter than wing-tips and base of bill with less red (in breeding plumage). Build slightly stockier than Collared Pratincole, with longer legs. Lore and forehead often darker. Sexes alike. Lacks black necklace in winter plumage. Immature birds are similar to winter-plumaged adults, but with additional scaly upperparts. A third species, Oriental Pratincole, is a rare vagrant with rufous underwing, no wing-bar, and even shorter tail.

Sound:

Also see Collared Pratincole. Differs from latter by the hard parts being dryer, more clicking and staccato, while the more melodic components are more mewing. Like with Collared Pratincole beware confusion risk with Little Tern, which is similar in timbre.

Various calls:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC

CC-sound:Vladimir Arkhipov, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Ignaas Robbe, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:maholyoak, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Lars Buckx, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Hilde Ham, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Small and compact grebe. May be confused with Red-necked Grebe or Black-necked Grebe. In all plumages; short bill and flat crown. Thicker neck than Black-necked Grebe and lacks steep forehead. Dark bill with pale tip, often surprisingly visible. Summer; chestnut neck, black head and golden crests. Sexes alike, but male slightly brighter coloured. Winter; black upperparts and white underparts (differs from Little Grebe). Pure white cheeks in adults (grey in Red-necked Grebe). Juveniles may show faintly streaked cheeks, but still giving a white impression.

Sound:

Varied. Vibrating, wailing, dry and cackling sequences. A mewing, falling and far-reaching "kiaa" and various rattling sounds.

Display:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC

Sounds:Recorded by Patrick Åberg,http://www.xeno-canto.org ,CC license