The Madagascar pratincole is a species of bird in the family Glareolidae. It is found in Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, possibly Mauritius, and possibly Réunion. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, rivers, freshwater lakes, rocky shores, and intertidal marshes; it migrates to the coast of East Africa in the winter. It is the rarest species in the Glareola genus, and is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Western Indian Ocean and East African coast
Typical Environment
Breeds on rocky and sandy riverbanks, islets, and exposed boulders along lowland rivers and lakes in Madagascar, with occurrences in the Comoros. During the non-breeding season it moves to coastal East Africa, using beaches, estuaries, rocky shores, and nearby wetlands. It favors seasonally flooded grasslands and open freshwater margins where aerial insects are abundant. Roosts are often on rocks or sandbars close to water, sometimes in small groups.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Madagascar pratincole is the rarest member of the pratincole genus Glareola and breeds mainly on rocky rivers in Madagascar, with small numbers around the Comoros. It winters along the coasts and large waterbodies of East Africa. It forages on the wing like a swallow, snapping up flying insects over rivers and shorelines. River modification, disturbance, and habitat loss are the principal threats.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
buoyant, swift with agile swoops
Social Behavior
Often roosts and forages in small groups and may nest in loose colonies on river islets or open gravel bars. Nests are simple ground scrapes with minimal lining. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season and both adults share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Calls are sharp, chittering notes and ringing whistles given in flight over rivers. During breeding, vocalizations become more frequent, with rapid, excited chatter during territorial displays.
Plumage
Slaty-brown to grey-brown upperparts with paler underparts; clean white throat neatly bordered by a dark line; rufous to chestnut underwing coverts conspicuous in flight; long pointed wings and short tail with slight fork.
Diet
Primarily takes flying insects, including termites, beetles, and aquatic insect emergents, which it hawks on the wing. It often feeds low over water or above sandbars and gravel banks. At times it sallies from rocks to snatch passing prey and may exploit evening termite swarms.
Preferred Environment
Open stretches of rivers, lakeshores, and coastal margins with unobstructed airspace for aerial hunting. Frequently feeds over rapids, sandbars, and estuaries where insect abundance is high.
