Senegal Thick-knee
NameSenegal Thick-knee
Common NameSenegal Thick-knee
Scientific NameBurhinus senegalensis
FamilyBurhinidae
Wingspan (cm)75
Length (cm)35
Weight (g)380
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are sandy-brown with dark streaking, providing excellent camouflage. Underparts are paler, and a distinctive white stripe bordered by black is visible on the folded wing. The head features a dark stripe through the eye and a pale supercilium.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its loud, wailing, and mournful calls, often given at night, typically described as 'kwee-kwee-kwee' or 'cur-lee'.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, wetland, desert
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound across a broad belt of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to northern Uganda, and also along the Nile Valley in Egypt and Sudan.
Identifying FeaturesLarge, prominent yellow eyes, Cryptic sandy-brown plumage with dark streaks, Distinctive white stripe on folded wing, Long, yellowish-green legs with prominent 'thick knees' (ankles), Relatively short, stout bill, yellowish at base and dark at tip
Description
The Senegal Thick-knee is a medium-sized wader characterized by its cryptic sandy-brown plumage and large, striking yellow eyes. Primarily nocturnal, it forages for invertebrates and small vertebrates in open, dry habitats, often near water sources.
