Description

In flight, the Madagascar pratincole cuts a distinctive silhouette, with long, pointed brown wings and a forked black and white tail . On the ground, the light brown plumage can be more closely observed, and the pale reddish upper belly and white lower belly can be seen. The front and top of the head is a dark chocolate brown, contrasting with the broad white stripe that runs underneath and behind the dark brown eye. The short, hooked bill is black with a red base and the legs and toes are dark grey. Juvenile Madagascar pratincoles can be distinguished by their streaky, reddish breast; streaks of reddish or tan on the upperparts, and the lack of a white line near the eyes.

Fun Facts

When feeding in flight, the Madagascar pratincole can be heard emitting a piercing string of