Small Pratincole

The small pratincole is a resident breeder in India, western Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It is only 16.5 to 18.5 cm long with a wingspan of 42 to 48 cm, and in flight can be briefly confused with a swift or swallow. It has short legs, long pointed wings, a short tail and a short bill suited to aerial feeding. On the ground it looks mainly pale grey, with a brown crown (Wikipedia, general species account).

It breeds from December to March on gravel or sand banks near rivers and lakes, laying two to four eggs in a ground scrape. Although classed as a wader, it typically hunts insects on the wing like a swallow, often near water in the evening. Nationally Vulnerable (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).