COLLARED PRATINCOLE
Glareola pratincola
iWamba (Zulu) Rooiviersprinkkaanvoel (Afrikaans)
HABITAT
Found in north-east KwaZulu-Natal in open ground, burnt grass, overgrazed grassland, ploughed
fields usually near estuaries, pans, coastal lakes and large rivers. TYPE
This medium sized bird, somewhat tern-like in shape, is dull brown above, whitish below,
washed ochre and brown on breast. The throat is ochre yellow with a thin black surround, the eyes
dark brown, the bill black with a red base and the legs and feet are grey-black.
BREEDING
It nests in November and December in KwaZulu-Natal making a shallow scrape on the ground
which may be lined with soil particles. The eggs usually number 2 and are a pale cream to deep
buff, blotched and streaked with black, brown and underlying grey.
FOOD
This gregarious bird feeds on grasshoppers, locusts, beetles, dragonflies and molluscs.
STATUS
A locally common breeding migrant. The Red Data Book lists it as rare.
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