Photo: Heinonlein / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Near Threatened

Shorebirds

Madagascar Pratincole

Glareola ocularis

Madagascar Pratincole (Glareola ocularis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.

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The Madagascar Pratincole (Glareola ocularis) is a member of the Glareolidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 91.9 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

NT Near Threatened

Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.

Where it fits

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

Where it lives

Rocky coastal and river islets of northwestern, eastern Madagascar

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 91.9 g
Diet: Invertebrate-eaters
Family: Glareolidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

Behaviour

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

Migration

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

The Madagascar Pratincole (Glareola ocularis) is a species of bird in the Glareolidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF rocky coastal and river islets of nw, e Madagascar.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 91.9 g, with a wing length of about 19.1 cm and a tail of around 6.8 cm.

The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 545,000 km².

Songs & calls

Madagascar Pratincole — Call, flight call

Recorded by Bernard BOUSQUET Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Madagascar Pratincole?

The Madagascar Pratincole is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 91.9 g.

Where does the Madagascar Pratincole live?

The Madagascar Pratincole is found across Africa with a range covering AF rocky coastal and river islets of nw, e Madagascar, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Madagascar Pratincole belong to?

The Madagascar Pratincole (Glareola ocularis) belongs to the Glareolidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Madagascar Pratincole eat?

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

Does the Madagascar Pratincole migrate?

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

Is the Madagascar Pratincole endangered?

The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.

What sound does the Madagascar Pratincole make?

1 real field recording of the Madagascar Pratincole — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Madagascar Pratincole's range?

The Madagascar Pratincole has a mapped global range of about 545,000 km².