Appearance:

Slightly smaller than Golden Plover with much slender appearance. Only likely to be confused with other pratincoles, but diagnostic field marks often difficult to see. Differs from Black-winged Pratincole by rufous underwing and narrow, white trailing edge to upperwing (both characters requires good light). Tail streamers longer than wing-tips and base of bill with more red (in breeding plumage). Sexes alike. Lacks black necklace in winter plumage. Immature birds are similar to winter-plumaged adults, but with additional scaly upperparts. Often confusing at first glance when in flight, due to tern-like, acrobatic flight not resembling other waders.

Sound:

Quite vocal. Nasal tern-like, far-carrying calls often betrays its presence before it is seen. Short and sharp "kiev" or "kip" frequently used. Most diagnostic call is a two-part, rolling "kivik-kirrrrrrr", with the latter part slightly descending. Easily confused with Black-winged Pratincole, but the hard parts are more resonant, and less clicking and staccato, while the more melodic components are less mewing. Also quite similar to Little Tern in timbre, but the two-part structure in the diagnostic call is different.

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

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Étienne Leroy, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Adults unmistakable. White head with bold black markings and orangy brown back. Even more striking in flight, with white wedge on back, large white patches at base of wings, white wing-bars and black and white tail. Juvenile and winter plumage birds with similar white patches, but with darker head and greyish, dark brown back. Underside always pure white. Leaves a robust and compact impression, with heavy bill and square head.

Sound:

Characteristic call: An explosive, hard, resonant and short "koi" or "kott" with a peculiar timbre, usually given in rapid or accelerating series. Alarm call/song more "wader-like", a staccato "kuvi-kuvi-vit-vit-vitua".

Alarm call:

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

Featherbase

CC

Sounds:Recorded by Niels Krabbe,http://www.xeno-canto.org ,CC license