{{Short description|Species of bird}} {{Speciesbox | image = Bronze-winged Courser (Rhinoptilus chalcopterus) (13950665425).jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Rhinoptilus chalcopterus'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T22694095A93438523 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22694095A93438523.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Rhinoptilus | species = chalcopterus | authority = ([[Coenraad Jacob Temminck|Temminck]], 1824) | synonyms = }}
The '''bronze-winged courser''' or '''violet-tipped courser''' ('''''Rhinoptilus chalcopterus''''') is a species of [[bird]] in the family [[Glareolidae]]. This species is named for its characteristic bronze-tipped feathers that are visible during flight. It is found living throughout [[Sub-Saharan Africa]], inhabiting semi-arid [[savanna]]s and [[woodland]]s.<ref name=":08">{{Cite book|last=Stark|first=Arthur Cowell|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1UU3AQAAMAAJ&dq=The+Birds+of+South+Africa&pg=PA115|title=The Birds of South Africa|date=1906|publisher=R. H. Porter|language=en}}</ref> This is a [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] species which mainly feeds on ground-dwelling insects. Bronze-winged coursers are typically solitary, only forming [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]] pairs for breeding. A female may produce 2-3 eggs per [[Clutch (eggs)|clutch]],<ref name=":08" /> and the chicks receive parental care from both sexes when young.<ref name=":111">{{Cite journal|last1=Maclean|first1=Gordon L.|last2=Kirwan|first2=Guy M.|editor1-first=Josep|editor1-last=Del Hoyo|editor2-first=Andrew|editor2-last=Elliott|editor3-first=Jordi|editor3-last=Sargatal|editor4-first=David|editor4-last=Christie|editor5-first=Eduardo|editor5-last=De Juana|date=2020-03-04|title=Bronze-winged Courser (Rhinoptilus chalcopterus)|url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/brwcou1/cur/introduction|journal=Birds of the World|doi=10.2173/bow.brwcou1.01|s2cid=216479729|language=en|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The bronze-winged courser is considered of Least Concern for conservation status, and is thought to be a very stable species.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=International)|first=BirdLife International (BirdLife|date=2016-10-01|title=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Rhinoptilus chalcopterus|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/en|journal=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species}}</ref>
== Description == The bronze-winged courser is a species of small [[Wader|wading birds]] with long legs and short wings. The bronze-winged courser is the largest of the [[courser]]s, with a body length of 25-29 centimeters, a [[wingspan]] up to 58 centimeters, and body weight between 91 and 220 grams.<ref name=":111" />
=== Adult Recognition === The bronze-winged courser can be recognized by its characteristic head markings and overall coloration. The adult [[plumage]] differs from the juvenile plumage in this species. Mature adults have a dull grey-brown upper breast and back. The upper tail is white, while the remainder of the tail is dark brown and bordered with white. The breast features a thin black band that separates the brownish-grey upper chest from the [[Buff (colour)|buffy]] lower breast and belly. The head has distinct cream-white [[supercilium]], forecrown, and posterior eyeline, as well as buffy upper neck and throat. The facial lores and [[Covert feather|ear-coverts]] are darker brown-black. The underwing [[Covert feather|coverts]] are white, contrasting with the dark black [[Primary feather|primaries]] which are tipped with [[Iridescence|iridescent]] copper to violet coloration. These copper wingtips are visible exclusively during flight–denoting the bird's common name the "bronze-winged courser". The [[Beak|bill]] is long and curved slightly downward, and appears black with a reddish-purple base. The eyes are large on the head, featuring a bright reddish-purple [[Eye-ring|eye ring]]. The long legs are red in color.<ref name=":111" /><ref name=":08" />
The adult bronze-winged courser in flight may be visually confused with another group that is similar in appearance–the [[lapwing]]s. Both have comparable underpart coloration and body size.<ref name=":111" />
=== Juvenile Recognition === The juvenile bronze-winged courser sports a less vibrant plumage pattern in contrast to the adults. The upper feathers of the body are cream-yellow at the ends, and the breast features an even thinner dark band. Chicks of this species are speckled in appearance, looking almost like sandy burnt vegetation.<ref name=":111" />
== Taxonomy == The bronze-winged courser (''Rhinoptilus chalcopterus'') is a species of courser within the family [[Glareolidae]]. The coursers are a part of the order [[Charadriiformes]] in the class [[Bird|Aves]]. This species has no classified subspecies.
== Range == The bronze-winged courser is found in parts of [[Sub-Saharan Africa]], and can be found residing in different areas of the continent according to season. It is thought that the bronze-winged courser spends its breeding season in the southern parts of its range, and [[Animal migration|migrates]] north after breeding.<ref name=":111" /><ref name=":08" /> The breeding season spans from July to December.<ref name=":43">{{Cite web|title=Rhinoptilus chalcopterus (Bronze-winged courser)|url=http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/glareolidae/rhinoptilus_chalcopterus.htm|access-date=2021-11-06|website=www.biodiversityexplorer.info}}</ref>
Historical records show the bronze-winged courser present in many localities at various times through the year, including but not limited to: [[Eritrea]], [[Nigeria]], [[Ghana]], [[Sudan]], [[Kenya]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Malawi]], [[Botswana]], [[Zambia]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[The Gambia|Gambia]], and more recently [[Ethiopia]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rannestad|first=Ole Tobias|date=2016-02-01|title=Additions to the Ethiopian bird atlas: 126 new records from 14 atlas squares|url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/scopus/article/view/129675|journal=Scopus: Journal of East African Ornithology|language=en|volume=36|issue=1|pages=1–14|issn=2313-1799}}</ref><ref name=":111" /><ref name=":08" />
== Habitat and Disruption == The bronze-winged courser inhabits [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] environments such as dry [[savanna]] [[woodland]]s with areas of dense brush. This species can rarely be found in open areas including [[grassland]]s located nearby [[Woodland|wooded]] savannas. They tend to inhabit lower elevations, though can be found within areas of elevation up to 2,350 meters. Breeding is thought to occur within a lower elevation range, likely not surpassing elevations of more than 1700 meters.<ref name=":111" />
The bronze-winged courser is susceptible to disturbance by human activities, particularly related to land alteration of its habitat due to farming or agricultural practices.<ref name=":111" /> Clearing woodlands and similar environment reduced the habitat available for bronze-winged courser. This species is also [[Predation|predated]] on by other birds in its environment, including the [[Bateleur]] and the [[Tawny eagle|Tawny Eagle]].<ref name=":43" />
== Behavior ==
=== Vocalizations === The bronze-winged courser can be heard by its [[Bird vocalization|calls]] at night, but is otherwise a quiet species.<ref name=":111" />
=== Diet === The bronze-winged courser is thought to be a strict [[insectivore]]–presumably feeding on ground dwelling insects such as [[grasshopper]]s.<ref name=":111" /> The bronze-winged courser is a nocturnal feeder, foraging in a [[plover]]-like manner–[[pecking]] at the ground to capture prey while walking or running around.<ref name=":111" />
=== Reproduction === The bronze-winged courser is a solitary species which forms [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]] pairs for breeding. Though forming pairs, the couples are territorial, and keep their adjacent nests at least 100 meters from one another.<ref name=":111" /> Breeding occurs during the [[dry season]]. Bronze-winged coursers typically select nesting areas that have been impacted by recent burns or fires. They usually do not construct a true [[nest]], but rather clear a small "nest" like spot, often no more than a 1 centimeter deep indentation in the ground.<ref name=":111" /><ref name=":08" /> The bronze-winged courser nests in open sites with good visibility. Within the nest, the bronze-winged courser lays a [[Clutch (eggs)|clutch]] of up to 3 eggs,<ref name=":08" /> which are [[camouflage]]d to blend into their environments.<ref name=":22">{{Cite journal|last1=Stevens|first1=Martin|last2=Ruxton|first2=Graeme D.|date=2019|title=The key role of behaviour in animal camouflage|journal=Biological Reviews|language=en|volume=94|issue=1|pages=116–134|doi=10.1111/brv.12438|issn=1469-185X|pmc=6378595|pmid=29927061}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite journal|last1=Troscianko|first1=Jolyon|last2=Wilson-Aggarwal|first2=Jared|last3=Stevens|first3=Martin|last4=Spottiswoode|first4=Claire N.|date=2016-01-29|title=Camouflage predicts survival in ground-nesting birds|journal=Scientific Reports|language=en|volume=6|issue=1|article-number=19966|doi=10.1038/srep19966|pmid=26822039|pmc=4731810|bibcode=2016NatSR...619966T|issn=2045-2322}}</ref> This camouflaging of the eggs allows higher survival rates with such an open nesting environment.<ref name=":32" /> Egg camouflaging can vary in color, and closely mimics the environment in which they are laid.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":32" /> Eggs can appear cream to yellow, with hints of grey, sepia, reddish-brown, darker black, and even purple tones. Eggs are small in size, measuring anywhere from 33-40mm x 25-28mm.<ref name=":111" /> The eggs are [[Egg incubation|incubated]] by both parents for 25–27 days, during which the parents alternate between sitting on the nest while the other stands watch close by.<ref name=":111" /> If approached by a predator, the parents will flee the nest and leave the eggs in the open. It has been found that bronze-winged coursers will move at least 5 meters away from the nest if threatened.<ref name=":53">{{Cite journal|last1=Wilson-Aggarwal|first1=Jared K.|last2=Troscianko|first2=Jolyon T.|last3=Stevens|first3=Martin|last4=Spottiswoode|first4=Claire N.|date=August 2016|title=Escape Distance in Ground-Nesting Birds Differs with Individual Level of Camouflage|url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/687254|journal=The American Naturalist|language=en|volume=188|issue=2|pages=231–239|doi=10.1086/687254|pmid=27420787|s2cid=3855769|issn=0003-0147|hdl=10871/20871|hdl-access=free}}</ref>
Once hatched, the chicks receive [[Parental care in birds|parental care]] from both sexes. It is unknown how long the chicks [[Fledge|fledging]] period lasts. The plumage on [[Chick (bird)|chicks]] of the bronze-winged courser is white from below, and appears speckled with red-brown and black from above. The legs are dark grey and the bill is black.<ref name=":111" />
== Status and Conservation == The bronze-winged courser is considered of [[Least-concern species|Least Concern (LC)]] in nature protection. This species is not globally threatened, and is highly protected by the establishment of [[Nature reserve|nature]] and [[game reserve]]s within their range.<ref name=":111" />
It is difficult to record true population numbers of bronze-winged coursers. This species is often underestimated and size is challenging to predict.<ref name=":111" />
Causes of mortality in the bronze-winged courser are often linked to traffic deaths. This nocturnal species can be found running on roads at night, where it may occasionally face fatalities from motor vehicle encounters.<ref name=":111" /> Other mortalities are normally due to predation by local wildlife.<ref name=":53" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * Bronze-winged courser - [http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/303.pdf Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds] *Bronze-winged courser – [https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/brwcou1/cur/introduction Birds of the World] *Bronze-winged courser – [https://ebird.org/species/brwcou1 The Cornell Lab of Ornithology] *''Rhinoptilus chalcopterus'' (Bronze-winged courser) – [http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/glareolidae/rhinoptilus_chalcopterus.htm Biodiversity Explorer - The Web of Life in Southern Africa]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1271872}}
[[Category:Rhinoptilus|bronze-winged courser]] [[Category:Birds of Sub-Saharan Africa]] [[Category:Birds described in 1824|bronze-winged courser]] [[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]] [[Category:Taxa named by Coenraad Jacob Temminck]]