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:

A small wader with yellowish legs and short, almost straight, dark bill with pale base. Noticeably smaller than Dunlin, and with shorter and straighter bill. Similar in size to Little Stint, but legs light yellowish, tail longer with white edges and markings on back quite plain. Clear divide between markings of breast and white underparts. Juveniles with prominent scale-pattern on back. Upperparts of adults in winter plumage more evenly grey, lacking the star shaped spots of summer. Prefers fresh or brackish waters, even on migration.

Sound:

Call a hard, thin, ringing "trrrrrr". Song a cyclic series of variations on the call; "trrrrrrrr" rising and falling in pitch. Often sustained for several minutes at a time.

Song:

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

CC-sound:maudoc, Licence,Link.