Burchell’s Courser
Cursorius rufus
Short grasslands. Mainly chestnut colouring; grey nape; white belly and legs.
Coursers, Pratincoles
VU
Near Endemic
Description
Uncommon near-endemic resident. Differs from [Temminck’s Courser] mainly in blue-grey hindcrown and the extent of its white belly, which is bordered by a narrow black bar (not broad black wedge). In flight shows diagnostic white trailing edges to its wings. Immature is mottled on upper parts. A quiet species; may call ‘kok-kok-kwich’. Habitat and habits very similar to [Temminck’s Courser]. Occurs in small groups in short grassland. Bobs its head and hindquarters more than [Temminck’s Courser] and jerks its body backwards and forwards or sideways. Nomadic.
Quick Facts
Size
23 cm - M
Names
A: Bloukopdrawwertjie
Z: uNobulongwe
Ss: Mokopjwane Wa Bophirima
G: Rostrennvogel
Bird Family
Pratincoles are migratory and nomadic birds with very short legs in relation to the length of their bodies. At rest or in their elegant, often erratic flight they resemble terns. They feed mostly in the air, in flocks. Their calls are of a ‘kip-kip-kip…' nature. The related coursers are more lapwing-like with erect stance, but unlike plovers lack a hind toe; they are terrestrial feeders. Sexes are alike in both groups.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
