Double-banded Courser

Smutsornis africanus

Double-banded Courser (Smutsornis africanus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.

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The Double-banded Courser (Smutsornis africanus) is a member of the Glareolidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 87.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Glareolidae Coursers, Pratincoles
Genus Smutsornis
Species africanus

Where it lives

Tropical to subtropical stony plains of eastern and southern Africa

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 87.5 g
Diet: Invertebrate-eaters
Family: Glareolidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Critically Endangered

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Double-banded Courser is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Behaviour

A bird of arid, desert country, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Double-banded Courser is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Double-banded Courser (Smutsornis africanus) is a species of bird in the Glareolidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF tropical to subtropical stony plains of e and s Africa.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 87.5 g, with a wing length of about 14.8 cm and a tail of around 6.4 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3 million km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Double-banded Courser?

The Double-banded Courser is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 87.5 g.

Where does the Double-banded Courser live?

The Double-banded Courser is found across Africa with a range covering AF tropical to subtropical stony plains of e and s Africa, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Double-banded Courser belong to?

The Double-banded Courser (Smutsornis africanus) belongs to the Glareolidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Double-banded Courser eat?

The Double-banded Courser is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Does the Double-banded Courser migrate?

The Double-banded Courser is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Double-banded Courser endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

How large is the Double-banded Courser's range?

The Double-banded Courser has a mapped global range of about 3 million km².