The three-banded courser is a species of bird in the family Glareolidae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, Somaliland, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Region
East and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in arid and semi-arid savannas, thorn-scrub, and open Acacia–Commiphora bushland. Prefers sparsely vegetated sandy or stony flats, dry riverbeds, and the edges of open clearings where it can see approaching threats. By day it rests under shrubs or in shade, becoming active after dusk. It is found from Ethiopia and Somalia south through Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan, and into Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The three-banded courser is a nocturnal ground-dweller of dry savannas, relying on superb camouflage and freezing behavior to avoid detection by day. Its name comes from the three distinct black breast bands separated by white. It nests in a simple scrape on bare ground, and adults often shade eggs or chicks from the sun. Pairs perform soft, whistled duets at night and use distraction displays to lead predators away from the nest.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, level glides
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs that maintain territories. Ground-nesting in a shallow scrape with minimal lining; both adults incubate and tend the young. Monogamous pairs use distraction displays and rely on camouflage to protect the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Mostly quiet by day, but at night emits soft, whistled calls and piping notes. Vocalizations carry over open ground and are used for pair contact and territory advertisement.
