Grey Pratincole

Glareola cinerea

Grey Pratincole (Glareola cinerea) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.

The Grey Pratincole (Glareola cinerea) is a member of the Glareolidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 37.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Glareolidae Coursers, Pratincoles
Genus Glareola
Species cinerea

Where it lives

Large river sandbanks of western, west-central tropical Africa: southern Mali and southern Niger to northern Angola and central DR Congo

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 37.4 g
Diet: Invertebrate-eaters
Family: Glareolidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Grey Pratincole is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Behaviour

A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.

Migration

The Grey Pratincole is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Grey Pratincole (Glareola cinerea) belongs to the Glareolidae family of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF large river sandbanks of w, wc tropical Africa: s Mali and s Niger to n Angola and c DR Congo.

It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 37.4 g, with a wing length of about 14.2 cm and a tail of around 5.3 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.4 million km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Grey Pratincole?

The Grey Pratincole is a small bird that weighs around 37.4 g.

Where does the Grey Pratincole live?

The Grey Pratincole is found across Africa with a range covering AF large river sandbanks of w, wc tropical Africa: s Mali and s Niger to n Angola and c DR Congo, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Grey Pratincole belong to?

The Grey Pratincole (Glareola cinerea) belongs to the Glareolidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Grey Pratincole eat?

The Grey Pratincole is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Does the Grey Pratincole migrate?

The Grey Pratincole is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

Is the Grey Pratincole endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

How large is the Grey Pratincole's range?

The Grey Pratincole has a mapped global range of about 3.4 million km².