Senegal Thick-knee

Burhinus senegalensis

Known as the "guardian of the Nile," this long-legged wader keeps a watchful eye over riverbanks and wetlands across Africa and parts of the Middle East.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Senegal Thick-knee is a medium-sized wader with a distinctive large head and eyes. Its plumage is primarily mottled brown and grey, providing excellent camouflage. The bird has a prominent black and white stripe above and below its large yellow eyes.

Both sexes look similar, with no significant seasonal changes in plumage. Juveniles resemble adults but have slightly duller colouration and less defined eye stripes.

The legs are a dull pale yellow, and the knees are prominent, hence its descriptive nomenclature.

Size

Length

38cm to 43cm

Wingspan

80cm to 90cm

Weight

290g to 460g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Black Yellow

Leg Colour

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Senegal Thick-knee is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Senegal Thick-knee is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Senegal Thick-knee can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Senegal Thick-knee is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Senegal Thick-knee is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Senegal Thick-knee is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Senegal Thick-knee can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Senegal Thick-knee is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Senegal Thick-knee is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Senegal Thick-knee is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Senegal Thick-knee is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Senegal Thick-knee can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

The Senegal Thick-knee inhabits a wide range across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Kenya and Tanzania. It prefers open, dry habitats such as grasslands, savannahs, and the edges of wetlands.

These birds are generally non-migratory but may make local movements in response to changing water levels or food availability. They are rarely found outside their African range.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,500 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Senegal Thick-knee. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons