2 Pratincoles Of Vietnam

Pratincoles Of Vietnam – Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of birds that is found in most parts of the world, including Vietnam. Also known as the pratincoles and coursers, these birds are renowned for their graceful and swift aerial movements and their preference for open, arid environments. In this article, we will delve into the Glareolidae family found in Vietnam and explore some of the unique characteristics of these fascinating birds.

In Vietnam, the Glareolidae family is represented by two species with mean 2 Pratincoles Of Vietnam, the Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum) and the Small Pratincole (Glareola lactea). The Oriental Pratincole is more common and widespread, found in open habitats such as wetlands, grasslands, and cultivated areas. The Small Pratincole, on the other hand, is a rare bird found only in small numbers in a few scattered locations in Vietnam.

The Oriental Pratincole is a medium-sized bird that is about 21-24 cm in length, with a wingspan of 58-64 cm. It has a slim and pointed appearance, with long wings and a deeply forked tail that gives it exceptional maneuverability in flight. The body plumage is mainly brownish-grey, and the wings are dark grey with white bars. The most distinctive feature of the Oriental Pratincole is its white underwing, which is visible during flight.

The Small Pratincole is a smaller bird, about 17-19 cm in length, with a wingspan of 38-42 cm. It has a similar appearance to the Oriental Pratincole, with brownish-grey plumage and a forked tail, but it lacks the distinctive white underwing. The Small Pratincole is an elusive bird, preferring to roost in trees and bushes during the day and flying over wetlands at dusk and dawn to hunt insects.

The Glareolidae family is known for its unique breeding behaviors, and the Oriental Pratincole is no exception. During the breeding season, which occurs from April to August, Oriental Pratincoles form large colonies, often numbering in the thousands. The males arrive first and begin to establish territories and court females by performing aerial displays. Once the females arrive, the males will present them with a pebble or piece of grass as part of their courtship ritual.

Once paired, the Oriental Pratincole will lay a clutch of 2-3 eggs in a shallow scrape on the ground. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young. The chicks are precocial, meaning that they are born with downy feathers and are able to move around and feed themselves soon after hatching. The parents will continue to care for the chicks for several weeks until they are able to fly and fend for themselves.

The Small Pratincole’s breeding habits are less well-known, partly due to its elusive nature. However, it is believed to breed in small colonies in riverine areas, with the breeding season occurring from May to August. The Small Pratincole also lays 2-3 eggs in a shallow scrape on the ground, with both parents sharing the incubation and care of the chicks