Bird · GBIF taxon 2480740
Cream-coloured Courser
Cursorius cursorAlso known as Cream-colored Courser, Cream Courser
Cream-coloured coursers are sandy-buff ground dwellers perfectly camouflaged against the arid, stony deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. Instead of taking flight when disturbed, these slender waders sprint across open ground on long, pale legs to chase down terrestrial insects. During display, they perform short aerial circuits, but they remain dedicated terrestrial foragers that nest in shallow, unlined ground scrapes.
Desert DwellerGround RunnerInsectivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Beetles
- Grasshoppers
- Ants
Predators
- Falcons
- Foxes
- Snakes
ThreatsHabitat conversion to agriculture, overgrazing, and vehicle disturbance in breeding areas
HabitatsArid plains, stony steppes, semi-deserts, and dry coastal dunes
Life span5–10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyGlareolidae
- SpeciesCursorius cursor
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Scan the Ground: Look for movement low to the earth, as their sandy plumage blends seamlessly into desert soil when stationary.
- Keep Your Distance: Approach slowly to avoid triggering their fast running escape response, which can drive them far from nests.
- Listen for Calls: Listen for short, metallic whistling calls, often uttered when small flocks flush into flight.
Predator (c) Christiaan Viljoen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christiaan Viljoen · cc-by
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