_(32680086412).jpg&width=800)
spotted thick-knee
ExploreBirds
spotted thick-knee
Burhinus capensis
The spotted thick-knee is a funny-looking bird with big eyes and long legs. It loves to hide in the grass during the day and comes out at night to find food.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The spotted thick-knee is a medium-sized ground bird with large yellow eyes and long, thick yellow-black legs. Its plumage is mottled brown, grey, and black, providing excellent camouflage, while its head shows distinctive dark streaks.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderCharadriiformesFamilyBurhinidaeGenusBurhinus
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Adults can fake a broken wing to distract danger away from their precious eggs!
If scared, chicks will crouch motionless, becoming almost invisible to predators!
Instead of building nests, they lay their eggs directly on the ground among pebbles!
Their scientific name, 'Burhinus', means 'ox-nose', referring to their unique, broad bill!
Special abilities
Ability
Stealthy Spotter
spotted thick-knee can vanish into its surroundings due to mottled feathers that perfectly mimic dry grass and stones.
Ability
Night Vision Master
spotted thick-knee has huge yellow eyes that help it spot tiny prey, like insects, in the darkest night.
Ability
Padded Prowler
spotted thick-knee has thick leg joints, allowing silent walking and shock absorption when running on rough terrain.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 37-44 cm
- Wingspan
- 74-83 cm
- Weight
- 0.4-0.6 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Top Speed
- 40 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1-3
- Incubation
- 26-30 days
Diet & Feeding
These nocturnal hunters gobble up insects, spiders, small reptiles, and even tiny rodents!
Primary Foods
- beetles
- grasshoppers
- spiders
- lizards
- mice
- frogs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Lion
Panthera leo
can be hunted by large nocturnal predators.
eaten by
Tawny Eagle
Aquila rapax
vulnerable to large birds of prey during the day.
hunts
Natal Multimammate Mouse
Mastomys natalensis
a common rodent hunted during night foraging.
hunts
African Field Cricket
Gryllus bimaculatus
one of many insects caught by stealthy thick-knees.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Ambush Predator
An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is spotted thick-knee?
37-44 cm
What is spotted thick-knee's wingspan?
74-83 cm
How much does spotted thick-knee weigh?
0.4-0.6 kg
How long does spotted thick-knee live?
10-15 years
How fast can spotted thick-knee move?
40 km/h
What does spotted thick-knee eat?
These nocturnal hunters gobble up insects, spiders, small reptiles, and even tiny rodents!
Where is spotted thick-knee usually found?
Grasslands
How does spotted thick-knee hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
