Somali Courser

Cursorius somalensis

Other Pics: Immature Somali Courser

Other Names

    Courvite de Somalie           Corrione di Somalia

World: Eastern Africa: Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.

Kenya: Dry areas of northern Kenya. In the East extends South to Tsavo East.

Considered by some authorities to be a subspecies of the Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor) but we have gone with Zimmerman in treating this as a distinct species. It is a diurnal Courser which can be seen running rapidly across the ground stopping briefly to feed or check around. It has a characteristic head bob and when disturbed it generally runs. It is primarily insectivorous taking its prey, which is swallowed whole, from the ground. It may occasionally take locusts in flight and it is capable of swallowing insects up to 8cm in length. As well as insects it feeds on molluscs, arachnids and seeds. Its nest is a shallow scrape on bare ground which is generally unlined but in Kenya the eggs may be surrounded with antelope droppings.