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 the bill. The chicks then run out to be fed, probably in response to calls by the parents. The Australian Practincole has a repertoire of displays to distract threats, including; The Australian pratincole are known to call during summer thunderstorms. The calls are sweet or plaintive whistles or very soft and muted, trills and loud sharp notes. No differences in calls between males and females have been identified. Four different types of calls have been clearly identified; Flight call- sweet whistling upslurred 'weeteet' or 'quirriepeet'. Calls are usually a series of 3-4 rapid repeated notes and varying in length with