| Cream-colored courser | |
|---|---|
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| Adult bird photographed inEgypt | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Charadriiformes |
| Family: | Glareolidae |
| Genus: | Cursorius |
| Species: | C. cursor |
| Binomial name | |
| Cursorius cursor (Latham, 1787) | |
 | |
| Range ofC. cursor Breeding Resident Non-breeding Passage Probably extinct Possibly Extant (resident) Possibly Extant (non-breeding) | |
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Thecream-colored courser (Cursorius cursor) is a species ofwader in thepratincole andcourser family,Glareolidae. Both parts of the scientific name derive fromLatincursor, "runner", fromcurrere, "to run"[2] which describes their usual habit as they hunt theirinsect prey on the ground in dry open semi-desert regions of theMiddle East and northern Africa.
Cream-colored coursers are found in theCanary Islands,Cape Verde,North Africa andSouthwest Asia. Their two eggs are laid in a ground scrape. The breeding season extends from February to September,[3] but they may breed also in autumn and winter when local conditions (especially rainfall) are favourable.[4] They are partiallymigratory, with northern and northwestern birds wintering inIndia,Arabia and across the southern edge of theSahara. Some birds also breed in the southern desert regions in northwestern India and Pakistan.[5]
They are rare north of the breeding range, but this species has occurred as far away asFinland,Ireland andGreat Britain.[citation needed]
Cream-colored coursers have long legs, long wings, and slightly downcurved bills. The body plumage is sandy in colour, fading to whitish on the lower belly. The upperwing primary feathers and the underwings are black. The crown and nape are grey, and there is a black eyestripe and white supercilium.
In flight, this species resembles a pratincole with its relaxed wingbeats, pointed wings and dark underwings.[citation needed]
There are threesubspecies of the cream-colored courser:[6]
Hayman'sShorebirds treats the east African formlittoralis as a race of theSomali courser rather than of cream-colored.[7] Some authorities in turn consider theSomali,Burchell's and cream-colored coursers to be conspecific.[citation needed]
