Cream-colored Courser

The Cream-colored Courser, known scientifically as Cursorius cursor, is a captivating bird, a member of the pratincole and courser family, Glareolidae. Its name, derived from the Latin "cursor," meaning "runner," aptly describes its terrestrial habits. This bird is distinguished by its sandy body plumage, which fades to a whitish hue on the lower belly, and its long legs and wings, which are well-adapted to its ground-dwelling lifestyle.

Identification Tips

When observing the Cream-colored Courser, look for its slightly downcurved bill, a grey crown and nape, and a distinctive black eyestripe with a contrasting white supercilium. In flight, it may remind one of a pratincole due to its relaxed wingbeats, pointed wings, and dark underwings.

Habitat

These birds favor dry open semi-desert regions, where they can be seen gracefully moving across the landscape in search of insects.

Distribution

The Cream-colored Courser's range spans the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. It is partially migratory, with populations moving to India, Arabia, and the southern Sahara for wintering. Some also breed in the southern desert regions of northwestern India and Pakistan.

Behaviour

The Cream-colored Courser exhibits a preference for running rather than flying when hunting for prey, which consists mainly of insects. Its breeding season is quite flexible, occurring from February to September, and sometimes extending into autumn and winter when conditions are favorable, such as after rainfall.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Cream-colored Courser are less commonly described, but like many of its relatives, it likely has a repertoire suited to its open habitat.

Breeding

Breeding Cream-colored Coursers lay two eggs in a simple ground scrape. Their breeding habits are influenced by local conditions, particularly rainfall, which can extend the breeding season beyond the typical period.

Similar Species

While in flight, the Cream-colored Courser may be mistaken for a pratincole due to its flight characteristics and dark underwings.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Cream-colored Courser is primarily composed of insects, which they chase and capture on the ground with remarkable agility.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the Cream-colored Courser as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population levels that would warrant a higher degree of conservation action.