Cursorius rufus Gould, 1837

Scientific Classification & Build

Burchell's courser (Cursorius rufus Gould, 1837) has a graceful build and an upright posture. Its key distinguishing feature from the similar Temminck's courser is a blue-grey hind crown. This species also has a horizontal black band that marks the edge of its white underbelly, and an overall pale rufous body color.

Facial Markings

On its face, white supercilia sit above black eye lines; both markings extend to the back of the neck and join to form a double V shape.

Feather Details

In terms of feather details, its secondaries are mostly white, it has a black underwing, and its coverts range from brown to grey.

Bill & Eye Features

As is typical for coursers, its bill is long, curves downward, and is dark, matching the color of its eyes.

Leg Coloration

Like its underbelly, its legs are a distinctive creamy white.

Flight Characteristics

When in flight, Burchell's courser's feet extend beyond the tip of its tail.

Adult Sexual Dimorphism

Adult females and males are similar in appearance.

Juvenile Appearance

Juveniles do not have the rufous coloring, facial stripes, and grey hind crown that adults have, and they have a mottled pattern with black and beige barring.

Camouflage Trait

Overall, Burchell's courser has a camouflaged appearance that helps it blend into the landscape, making it hard to spot.

Endemic Range

Burchell's courser is endemic to Africa, and favors warm, dry areas of Southern Africa. It can be found across most of South Africa and Namibia, as well as in parts of southwestern Angola and the Kalahari Basin region of Botswana. Its range occasionally overlaps with the range of Temminck's courser.

Habitat Preferences

This species inhabits gravel deserts and semi-deserts (rather than purely sandy desert areas), and also lives in open short-grass grasslands, and areas with sparse, burnt, or overgrazed vegetation.

Movement Patterns

It is described as locally nomadic based on its landscape-level movements, which may be driven by rainfall fluctuations.

Conservation Status

While Burchell's courser is classified as least concern, its population is declining.

Population Threats

This decline is potentially caused by habitat loss on arable land, inadequate farming practices including intense irrigation and overuse of pesticides, and other human-caused disturbances.