Bird Guide

Eurasian Stone-curlew vs Spotted Thick-knee

Eurasian Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)

Eurasian Stone-curlew

Burhinus oedicnemus

Large459 gGrassland

The Eurasian stone-curlew is a fairly large wader, though mid-sized by the standards of its family. Length ranges from 38 to 46 cm (15 to 18 in), wingspan from 76 to 88 cm (30 to 35 in) and weight from 290 to 535 g (10.2 to 18.9 oz). with a strong yellow and black beak, large yellow eyes (which give it a "reptilian", or "goggle-eyed" appearance), and cryptic plumage. The bird is striking in flight, with black and white wing markings.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Eurasian Stone-curlew
Recorded by Philippe_Grange · Nocturnal flight call · Arrondissement de la Roche-sur-Yon (near La Roche-sur-Yon), Vendée, Pays de la Loire, France · CC0
Photo: Frank Vassen from Brussels, Belgium · CC BY 2.0
Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis)

Spotted Thick-knee

Burhinus capensis

Large423 gShrubland

The spotted thick-knee, which can reach up to 45.5 cm (17.9 in) in height, has long legs and brown-and-white speckled plumage which provides camouflage, making it difficult to spot the bird in the grasslands and savannas where it roams. Its head is large and round with a prominent yellow eye and a short, stout beak. When in flight or standing in a characteristic position with its wings raised, it shows a striking contrasting pattern. Its legs are long and yellow and the tibiotarsal joint is expanded, giving it the name "thick-knee".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Bror.00 at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Eurasian Stone-curlew and Spotted Thick-knee.