The spotted thick-knee (Burhinus capensis), 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.
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".[2][3]
Behaviouredit
Calling at night in a suburban area
The spotted thick-knee is nocturnal and squats on the ground during the daytime, making it difficult to spot. It hunts exclusively on the ground, feeding on insects, small mammals and lizards.
Breedingedit
Usually 2 eggs are laid at a two-day interval. They measure some 5.2 cm × 3.8 cm. They are marked with sepia brown and ash grey on a pale, clay-coloured background.[4]
It nests on the ground, lining a scrape with grasses, feathers, pebbles and twigs. The female typically lays two eggs, and males and females rear the offspring together, with both bringing food back to the nest. The birds will defend the nest and adopt a defensive pose with wings spread and tail cocked and will even peck an intruder. Sometimes they will fake injuries to lead predators away from the nest.[2][3]
Distributionedit
The spotted thick-knee is native to the grasslands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Its range extends from Senegal, Mali and Mauritania in the west to Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa in the east and south, and south Yemen.[1]
Statusedit
The spotted thick-knee has a very extensive range, and its population is believed to be stable. For these reasons, the IUCN has rated it as being of "Least Concern".[1]
Galleryedit
A five day old chick
Adult's defensive pose
Scanning the sky for raptors
Cooling down by panting
Referencesedit
^ abcBirdLife International (2016). "Burhinus capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22693589A93414268. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22693589A93414268.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
^ ab"Spotted Dikkop Fact Sheet". Lincoln Park Zoo.
^ abBroekhuysen, GJ (1836). A description and discussion of threat- and anxiety-behaviour of Burhinus capensis (Lichtenstein) during incubation. Brill Archive. pp. 240–1.
^Keith, Stuart; Urban, Emil K.; Fry, C. Hilary (1986). The Birds of Africa, Volume II. Academic Press. pp. 204–205. ISBN0-12-137302-9.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Burhinus capensis.
Wikispecies has information related to Burhinus capensis.
Spotted thick-knee photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
Interactive range map of Burhinus capensis at IUCN Red List maps
Audio recordings of Spotted thick-knee on Xeno-canto.
Spotted thick-knee Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds
January 01, 1970
spotted, thick, knee, spotted, thick, knee, burhinus, capensis, also, known, spotted, dikkop, cape, thick, knee, wader, family, burhinidae, native, tropical, regions, central, southern, africa, conservation, status, least, concern, iucn, scientific, classifica. The spotted thick knee Burhinus capensis 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 Spotted thick knee Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Aves Order Charadriiformes Family Burhinidae Genus Burhinus Species B capensis Binomial name Burhinus capensis Lichtenstein MHC 1823 range Contents 1 Description 2 Behaviour 3 Breeding 4 Distribution 5 Status 6 Gallery 7 References 8 External linksDescription editThe 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 2 3 Behaviour edit source source Calling at night in a suburban area The spotted thick knee is nocturnal and squats on the ground during the daytime making it difficult to spot It hunts exclusively on the ground feeding on insects small mammals and lizards Breeding edit nbsp Usually 2 eggs are laid at a two day interval They measure some 5 2 cm 3 8 cm They are marked with sepia brown and ash grey on a pale clay coloured background 4 It nests on the ground lining a scrape with grasses feathers pebbles and twigs The female typically lays two eggs and males and females rear the offspring together with both bringing food back to the nest The birds will defend the nest and adopt a defensive pose with wings spread and tail cocked and will even peck an intruder Sometimes they will fake injuries to lead predators away from the nest 2 3 Distribution editThe spotted thick knee is native to the grasslands and savannas of sub Saharan Africa Its range extends from Senegal Mali and Mauritania in the west to Ethiopia Kenya Tanzania and South Africa in the east and south and south Yemen 1 Status editThe spotted thick knee has a very extensive range and its population is believed to be stable For these reasons the IUCN has rated it as being of Least Concern 1 Gallery edit nbsp A five day old chick nbsp Adult s defensive pose nbsp Scanning the sky for raptors nbsp Cooling down by pantingReferences edit a b c BirdLife International 2016 Burhinus capensis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T22693589A93414268 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T22693589A93414268 en Retrieved 12 November 2021 a b Spotted Dikkop Fact Sheet Lincoln Park Zoo a b Broekhuysen GJ 1836 A description and discussion of threat and anxiety behaviour ofBurhinus capensis Lichtenstein during incubation Brill Archive pp 240 1 Keith Stuart Urban Emil K Fry C Hilary 1986 The Birds of Africa Volume II Academic Press pp 204 205 ISBN 0 12 137302 9 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Burhinus capensis nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Burhinus capensis BirdLife species factsheet for Burhinus capensis Burhinus capensis Avibase nbsp Spotted dikkop media Internet Bird Collection Spotted thick knee photo gallery at VIREO Drexel University Interactive range map of Burhinus capensis at IUCN Red List maps Audio recordings of Spotted thick knee on Xeno canto Spotted thick knee Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spotted thick knee amp oldid 1161555212, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
