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The cream-coloured courser is a species of wader in the pratincole and courser family, Glareolidae. Both parts of the scientific name derive from Latin cursor, "runner", from currere, "to run" which describes their usual habit as they hunt their insect prey on the ground in dry open semi-desert regions of the Middle East and northern Africa.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Cream-coloured coursers are variously cited as 19–21 cm, 21–24 cm, or 24–27 cm long; the wingspan is 51–57 cm. They have long (7–8 cm) legs, long wings, and slightly downcurved bills. The body plumage is sandy in colour, fading to whitish on the lower belly. The outer upperwing and the underwing are black. The crown is grey, grading to blue-grey on the nape, and there is a black eyestripe and a conspicuous white supercilium. The legs are pale grey. Juveniles are mottled dark above, and have a duller head pattern than adults.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, France, Portugal, Sweden, Netherlands, Kenya, Mali, Sudan, Czechia.
When to see it
Peak activity in March · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Burchell's CourserCursorius rufusBurchell's courser has a graceful figure and an upright posture.
Learn the Cream-colored Courser for real
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