cursorius

Cursorius is a genus of birds in the family Glareolidae, commonly known as coursers. They are small to medium shorebirds that inhabit open, arid landscapes. The name derives from Latin cursorius, meaning running, reflecting their ground-dwelling, fast-running behavior.

Cursorius species occur across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, typically in deserts, savannas, and open grasslands with sparse vegetation. Many species are migratory, moving seasonally in response to rainfall and prey availability.

These birds are slender and medium-sized, with long legs and a short tail. Their plumage is usually sandy or gray-brown, providing camouflage on bare ground, and they often display distinctive facial markings or lighter underparts. They have pointed wings and a habit of rapid locomotion when foraging, preferring to run after prey on the ground rather than rely on flight.

In terms of behavior, cursors feed primarily on insects and other small invertebrates, pursuing prey with quick bursts of speed and short sprints. They nest on the ground, laying a shallow scrape that holds two to four eggs; both parents participate in incubation and care for the young, which are relatively precocial.

The genus includes several species, among them the cream-colored courser (Cursorius cursor), Temminck's courser (Cursorius temminckii), and Somali courser (Cursorius somaliensis). Cursorius represents a distinct lineage of ground-dwelling, fast-running insectivores adapted to open, arid environments.