Common Name: Indian Courser
Scientific Name: Cursorius coromandelicus
Family: Glareolidae
Nepali Name: Gajale Dhawak ( गाजले धावक )
Size: 23 cm
Location: Gulariya, Nepal 

The Indian Courser is a distinctive ground-dwelling bird of Nepal’s lowland plains, most often found in open, dry habitats such as grasslands, scrub, and sparsely vegetated riverbeds. It is primarily within the Terai, at elevations ranging from approximately 75 to 275 meters above sea level.

Elegant and long-legged, the Indian Courser has a streamlined, almost upright posture adapted for running across open ground. Its plumage is a warm sandy-buff, blending seamlessly with its arid surroundings. The underparts are paler, while the upperparts show subtle earthy tones that provide effective camouflage. One of its most striking features is the bold head pattern: a clean white supercilium (eyebrow stripe) arches above a contrasting black crown and eye-stripe, creating a sharp facial contrast. The bill is short, slightly downcurved, and dark, suited for picking insects off the ground, while the long, pale legs enhance its swift, cursorial movements.

Often seen singly or in pairs, the Indian Courser relies on its speed and alertness rather than flight, preferring to run when disturbed. Its presence is a good indicator of intact lowland grassland ecosystems, a habitat increasingly under pressure in Nepal.

Please feel free to comment below if the above species has been misidentified.

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