Australian pratincole than oriental pratincole ("Glareola maldivarum"). Juveniles with worn plumage and birds in non-breeding plumage could also be confused with the oriental pratincole The habitat of the Australian pratincole is treeless, open and sparse wooded plains, grasslands, claypans and gibberstone. Most of these areas are usually in arid and semi-arid rainfall zones. They are also sometimes found around the margins of wetlands, creeks, river beds, bore drains, lagoons, springs, claypans and sewage farms. During the breeding season they need scattered low shrubland as the chicks use the shrubs to hide and shelter in. Their diet consists of mainly insects, spiders and
Australian pratincole sandy-buff fringes. Sometimes there are dark flecks at the borders of the pale throat. Juvenile – The plumage is similar to a non-breeding adult but a slightly paler sandy brown colour. The lores lack the black colour and the forehead, crown and nape are streaked dark brown. The bill is grey-black with a faint reddish base. In flight – The upperbody and inner wing are sandy brown with black on the outer wing. The tail is square-cut with the upper-tail coverts and sides of the tail white. The Australian pratincole is slightly slimmer and smaller in size with longer legs