Black-winged Pratincole

Glareola nordmanni (Nordmann, 1842)

		Adultus Juvenilis
2015-07-26 Seliverstovo, Altai region 2015-07-26 Seliverstovo, Altai region	© Liudmila Pozhidaeva © Liudmila Pozhidaeva

Biology

Common breeding migrant. Inhabits the clay or saline-soil lands with the scarce vegetation near the water, or the small islands and spits on lakes. In spring appears in April – May by small flocks of up to 30 birds, the pairs are formed during migration. Breeds mostly in small colonies but sometimes colonies could numbering up to one thousand pairs, often together with other waders and terns. Nest is located in the shallow hole lined with some grass stems, but sometimes without lining. Clutch of 3-5 (usually 4) eggs is produced in May – early June. During the brooding of clutch the eggs gradually backfilled with sand, dry grass, bits of land and pieces of cockle-shells. At the end of incubation the eggs are visible only by half. Both parents incubate clutch and care for chicks. Juveniles begin to fly in July. Autumn migration passes early, birds disappear in breeding area in early – mid-August, the latest birds recorded in end August – mid-September.

References