Collared Pratincole

While near a stream which flows into Lake Buyukcekmeca near Istanbul I was with my birding guide, Dogan Bilge, as we watched some birds flying over quite fast. They circled and went back and forth several times. They had scissor tails and Dogan said they were rare birds for this area - he only sees them about once a year. 

I didn't really see them well until working on my photos when I got home. They are seriously cool looking birds. They usually feed on aerial insects while flying, like swallows, but can also feed on the ground. They usually feed near or over water, especially larger rivers and estuaries.  

Illustration from Birds of the World.

Illustration from Birds of the World. 

Range from Birds of the World.