Pratincoles

Pratincoles are the only aerial-feeding shorebirds, catching flying insects on the wing, and have long, tern-like wings. One species breeds in Malaysia and two are rare or very rare vagrants.

  • Australian Pratincole

    Extremely rare austral winter/spring vagrant to Bornean Malaysia, with just two records: "flocks around Kuching", Sarawak, including one collected, in Sept 1951, and three in Kota Belud, Sabah, on 1 Aug 1987. Very long-legged, long-winged pratincole with short, square tail.

  • Oriental Pratincole

    Unique, tern-like shorebird with short thick bill, long wings, forked tail and graceful flight. In flight, has white rump and white, black-tipped forked tail. From below, underwing coverts rich russet brown.

  • Small Pratincole

    Vagrant from South and northern South-east Asia, with a small handful of records in December and January in Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor. Tiny, dove-like pratincole with pale grey-brown upper parts and bold black-and-white wing pattern in flight.