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Oriental Pratincole – juveniles

on 1st December 2021

“Above is a composite of 4 Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum) birds to try and show juvenile to adult transition; images arranged according to assumed maturity. The difficulty is confusing an adult non-breeding with a juvenile.

“Non-breeding adults tend to lose the buff plumage to neck and chest; the solid narrow black collar in breeding adult is now broken and appears as short dark streaks. Juveniles are similar to non-breeding adult but the key features in head and neck that should help differentiate them is:
1. The mottled appearance of the crown
2. A complete white eye-ring (upper part of circle not so clear in adults)
3. The mottled dark brown/black in the throat.

“If you look at the composite, the bird in image 1 and 2 are obviously juveniles and that in image 4 an adult (with still some breeding plumage). The bird in image 3 is more difficult and could be a non-breeding adult but there is still some faint crown mottling at the eye rig is sharp, so I think it is an older juvenile (subadult).

“Appreciate opinions and corrections.

Images above and below are those of juveniles.

“Good reference: Higgins, P.J. & Davies, S.J.J.F. (editors) 1996. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds. Volume 3, Snipe to pigeons. Melbourne, Oxford University Press. Vol. 2, pages 648-649, Vol. 3, pages 365-373; plate 23 available HERE.

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
10th October 2019

Location: Malim Nawar Wetlands, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: Extensive ex-tin mining area with pond/lakes, wetlands, fish farming

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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