The grey pratincole is a species of bird, in the family Glareolidae.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs along major rivers and large lakes from coastal West Africa through the Congo Basin and adjoining regions. It favors broad, slow-moving rivers with extensive sandbanks, sandy islands, and exposed shorelines. The species is most frequently seen loafing on open sandbars by day and flying low over water to feed. It may also use coastal lagoons and estuaries, especially outside the breeding season.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The grey pratincole is a sleek, riverine shorebird of West and Central Africa, notable for its long, pointed wings and deep-forked tail. Despite looking somewhat like a tern in flight, it belongs to the Glareolidae family and typically hawks insects over large tropical rivers. It often rests on open sandbanks where its pale grey plumage provides excellent camouflage. Colonies time breeding with falling river levels to expose safe nesting substrates.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, tern-like swoops
Social Behavior
Often gathers in loose flocks on sandbanks and breeds colonially on open sand or gravel. Nests are simple scrapes placed on exposed bars as water levels drop. Pairs perform aerial chases and call exchanges during courtship, and adults defend a small territory around the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, piping notes and rattling chatters delivered in flight. Calls are most frequent at dusk and during social interactions over feeding sites.
Plumage
Smooth, uniform pale slate-grey upperparts and underparts with a crisp white throat edged by a fine dark malar line; dark flight feathers contrast with paler underwings.
Diet
Feeds mainly on flying insects such as termites, beetles, and dragonflies, which it catches on the wing over water and sandbars. It may also pick prey from the surface of sand and shallow water. Feeding intensity increases during termite emergences and after rains. Opportunistic and highly aerial, it exploits insect swarms efficiently.
Preferred Environment
Typically forages low over broad rivers, sandbanks, and adjacent shorelines. Will also feed above lagoons, estuaries, and lakes with open margins. Roosts and digests on exposed sand where visibility is good.
