Water Thick-Knee
Burhinus vermiculatus
Near water. Buffy with dark streaks; dark moustachial stripe; distinctive grey wing bar edged black.
Thick-Knees
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Distinguished from [Spotted Thick-Knee] by distinct grey wing-bar, edged black, and habitat preference. Calls at night and at dusk, a piping, melancholy ‘whee-wheeoo-wheeoo’. Occurs singly or in small groups on the banks of large rivers or lakes where there is fringing vegetation. Rests during the day in reeds or beneath overhanging bushes, becoming active at dusk.
Quick Facts
Size
40 cm - M
Names
A: Waterdikkop
Z: isiwelewele
Ss: Tapiane
G: Wassertriel
Bird Family
Lapwing-like birds with large heads and eyes, long legs, feet without a hind claw and tawny coloration. They normally walk with short, mincing steps. Nocturnal and crepuscular, they spend the daytime resting in a concealed location. The name ‘Thick-knee' is misleading; the term refers to the thickened tibio-tarsal joints, which are, in fact, not knees, but a bird's equivalent of ankle joints.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Distinguished from [Spotted Thick-Knee] by distinct grey wing-bar, edged black, and habitat preference. Occurs singly or in small groups on the banks of large rivers or lakes where there is fringing vegetation.
