Jerdon's courser is a nocturnal bird belonging to the pratincole and courser family Glareolidae endemic to India. The bird was discovered by the surgeon-naturalist Thomas C. Jerdon in 1848 but not seen again until its rediscovery in 1986. In August 2025, the Jerdon's courser was acoustically recorded in a new area of the Eastern Ghats, marking a breakthrough discovery. The last confirmed evidence of this critically endangered species dated back to 2004. This new record not only revives hope for its survival but also emphasizes the importance of surveying habitats beyond its known range in the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary.
Region
Eastern Ghats, India
Typical Environment
This courser inhabits sparse, stony scrubland with open patches of bare ground interspersed among thorny bushes and low woodland. It favors gently undulating terrain, dry stream beds, and areas with a mosaic of leaf litter and exposed soil where it can forage at night. Dense vegetation is generally avoided; instead it relies on scattered cover to remain concealed during daylight hours. Records are centered in Andhra Pradesh, with rare detections suggesting a broader but highly fragmented presence in the Eastern Ghats.
Altitude Range
100–500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Jerdon's courser is a secretive, strictly nocturnal member of the pratincole and courser family found only in India. Described in 1848 by T. C. Jerdon, it went unrecorded for more than a century until its rediscovery in 1986. In August 2025 it was acoustically detected in a new part of the Eastern Ghats, a breakthrough that extends its known range beyond the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary. This finding has reinvigorated targeted surveys and conservation action for this critically endangered bird.
Painting by John Gerrard Keulemans
Jerdon's courser egg displayed in Zoology Museum, University of Aberdeen.
Photo showing a tombstone erected for Jerdon's courser in an exhibition area at the Bronx Zoo because it was assumed to be extinct.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
low, fast flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Mostly solitary, becoming active after dusk and remaining concealed by day. Nests are simple ground scrapes placed on bare or sparsely vegetated soil, with a very small clutch. Both adults are thought to share incubation and chick care, relying on camouflage to avoid detection.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations at night include clear, whistled notes and soft, repeated calls that carry in still air. Calls are sporadic and often the only indication of its presence, aiding acoustic surveys.
