Elegant, long-legged, upland shorebird. Note the rufous crown and black patch on the belly. Shows a completely black wing in flight. Found in very open areas such as short grassland, semi-desert, and overgrazed and recently burned areas. Usually seen in pairs or family groups. Like all coursers, ducks the head and runs across the ground at great speed. Call is a mournful, off-key, up-and-down series. All-rufous crown, black belly patch, and all-black wing are not shown by the area’s other coursers.