Coursers and Pratincoles (Glareolidae)

Burchell's Courser (Cursorius rufus) - HBW 3, p. 377

French: Courvite de Burchell German: Rostrennvogel Spanish: Corredor Rufo

Taxonomy: Cursorius rufus Gould, 1837, islands in Indian Ocean; error = Potchefstroom, Transvaal, South Africa.
Forms superspecies with C. cursor, C. temminckii and C. coromandelicus, though last two taxa may represent a separate superspecies. Has been regarded as conspecific with C. cursor. E African races somalensis and littoralis of C. cursor may belong in present species. Proposed race theresae not generally recognized, as coloration too individually variable. Monotypic.

Distribution: S Africa, mainly in drier regions, from SW Angola through most of Namibia and Kalahari Basin of Botswana to W Cape, Karoo and high plateau of South Africa.