Smutsornis africanus

(Temminck, 1807)

Vernacular names
English : Double-banded courser
French : Courvite à double collier

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Charadriiformes
Family : Glareolidae
Notes : 8 subspecies known. Formerly placed in genus Rhinoptilus.

Identification
Adults reach a length of 24 cm for a weight of 104 g. Fairly long neck, round head, long thin legs. Coloration beige to light brown with black streaks on head and neck. Double black band on breast. Wing feathers with dark edges.

Range and habitat
Isolated populations in Ethiopia to Somalia, Kenya to Tanzania and from Angola to South Africa. Lives in semi-deserts with short grass, dry grassland and scrubland.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : This species is common in most of its range although overlooked because of nocturnal habits. Overgrazing leads to range expansion for this species.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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