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Temminck’s Courser (Cursorius temminckii)



Other Names
Afrikaans: Trekdrawwertjie
German: Temminckrennvogel
Dutch: Temmincks Renvogel
French: Courvite de Temminck
Zulu: uNobulongwe
Xhosa: Ucelithafa

The Temminck's Courser is a small Lapwing-like bird although it is much closer related to the Pratincoles than the Lapwings.

Adults have brown upperparts and breast merging into rufous on belly and terminating in a dark brown patch between legs. Facial features include a black stripe through the eyes meeting on the nape in a V shape, a white supercillium meeting in a similar V shape on the nape, and an entirely rufous crown which seperates it from the Burchell's Courser having a blue-grey hindcrown. Juveniles have a streaked crown and mottled back.

The Temminck's Courser is most likely only confused with Burchell's Courser from which it can be seperated by the absence of a blue-grey hind crown, terminating breast band that runs between the legs as opposed to higher up on the belly and an absence of white secondaries which is very conspicuous in flight.

The Temminck's Courser is largely a nomadic resident but there is a population that breeds in the Sahel region of Africa and migrates to southern Africa in the austral summer. At best, the movements of this species is still poorly understood.

They prefer short or burned grasslands, overgrazed areas, fallow lands and generally sparsely vegetated areas with good visibility.

The Temminck's Courser makes no nest and lays its eggs on bare ground in areas with good visibility. They are monogamous breeders.

The only place I have seen them in Kruger in on the S90, that runs north east of Satara.

We saw this one close to Nthandanyathi Bird Hide on the S28 from Croc Bridge to Lower Sabie in November 2006.

Seen just north of Letaba on the river loop.



large photo if you are on a fast connection

http://www.pbase.com/richardharris/image/88643330/original


Richard

Luvverly Richard

I have never got a decent photo because the little blighters won't stand still long enough in camera range, either on the S90 or in the other (non SANP) places I have seen them.

My four and a half year old son spotted three on the edge of the road, about half way up the H1-7. But as BB says they were gone in a flash and literally disappeared despite no grass to hide behind.

Tropic of Capricorn loop (S143) North of Mopani 2 weeks ago.



At least 5 birds were present close to the Tihongonyeni waterhole.

Saw this one on the S28, well spotted by Tawny.

Larger view

Just thought I'd put this up here....

I was on our Property in Vaalwater(Waterberg) today.....and Found a Temmnick's Courser, with a nest containing two eggs.....Figured I'd post this, as anyone still wanting to see one, or see one again...Heres an almost sure bet, the nest is 10 metres from a road, and definately provides a good view of the birds...(Theres no grass to obscure the view)

Justin

Found those three, mum, dad and the fluffy puffy chick, on the H6 (Satara - N'wanetsi Road) yesterday. The chick is well camouflaged as you can see. It really looks like a burned down bush!

Cees Very Nice Sighting, the little guys are really cute, and well hidden....When they just hatch, they very dark in colour. Can't wait to get back to the property and see how big they are now.

We were very lucky to see them! It was because of the male; He crossed the road ca. 10 mtrs in front of us . When we stopped at a distance he stayed on the right side of the road for a while. After that he went back to the left side and by doing this he gave away the location of the female and the chick.

Wow, awesome stuff, Cees. They love recently burnt areas and that is exactly where you've found them!

Large view

Saw 12 of these coursers today in the veld above the Ntandanyatni hide, near Croc Bridge.