The small pratincole is a resident breeder in India, Western Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

It breeds from December to March on gravel or sand banks near rivers and lakes, laying 2–4 eggs in a ground scrape.

(and along the Hemavathi River[2]) and northern Kerala near Kannur.

The most unusual feature of the pratincoles is that although classed as waders they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the ground.

The small pratincole is a species of open country, and is often seen near water in the evening, hawking for insects.