Spotted Thick-knee
Burhinus capensis
The Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis) is a uncommon thick-knees and stone-curlew found in 35 countries, weighing about 423 g. The spotted thick-knee, also known as the spotted dikkop or Cape thick-knee, is a wader in the family Burhinidae.
About the Spotted Thick-knee
The spotted thick-knee, also known as the spotted dikkop or Cape thick-knee, is a wader in the family Burhinidae. It is native to tropical regions of central and southern Africa.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mali, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
When to see it
The Spotted Thick-knee can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Spotted Thick-knee?
- 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. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Spotted Thick-knee?
- The Spotted Thick-knee is a large sized bird weighing about 423 g.
- Where can you see a Spotted Thick-knee?
- The Spotted Thick-knee occurs in 35 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania and Botswana.
- What birds look similar to a Spotted Thick-knee?
- The Spotted Thick-knee is most easily confused with the Water Thick-knee, the Eurasian Stone-curlew and the Bush Stone-curlew.
- Is the Spotted Thick-knee endangered?
- The Spotted Thick-knee is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Spotted Thick-knee for real
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