Species profile
About this species
The Cream-coloured Courser is a pale, sandy-brown wading bird belonging to the pratincole & courser family Glareolidae. It inhabits arid & semi-arid regions, blending remarkably well with its desert surroundings thanks to its cryptic buff plumage & distinctive black-&-white eye stripe. It is a fast-running ground bird that rarely flies unless disturbed, feeding on insects & small invertebrates across open, stony plains.
Arid & semi-arid desert plains, stony steppes, sandy scrubland & open dry grassland across North Africa, the Middle East & into Central Asia
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Cream-coloured Courser with us in Morocco.
These departures are part of our Africa programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning & late afternoon during autumn & winter months when vagrants may appear in southern Europe & the Canary Islands, or year-round in core North African & Middle Eastern range during the cooler dry season
Approach slowly & low to the ground to avoid flushing the bird, as it relies on camouflage & will run rather than fly when threatened. Use a long telephoto lens of at least 500mm to maintain distance while still achieving frame-filling shots against the open desert terrain. Shoot in the golden hours of early morning or late afternoon to capture warm light that complements the bird's sandy colouration & reduces harsh shadows.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Cream-coloured Courser
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.