Senegal Thick-knee Bird Facts (Burhinus senegalensis)

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Senegal Thick-knee demonstrates considerable agility, particularly in its ability to run swiftly when alarmed. Its preference for running over flying suggests nimble ground movement, essential for navigating its open habitats and evading predators.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong, this medium-sized wader possesses adequate strength for its lifestyle. Its ability to forage for small reptiles and amphibians indicates a reasonable level of physical capability.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

The Senegal Thick-knee shows high adaptability, thriving in various open habitats from grasslands to wetland edges. Its capacity to survive in areas with little water and its year-round breeding in most ranges further demonstrate its adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Generally non-aggressive, the Senegal Thick-knee relies more on camouflage and evasion than confrontation. However, it likely displays some aggression in defending its territory and young, as is common in ground-nesting birds.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The bird's nocturnal lifestyle, ability to stand motionless for long periods, and capacity to survive in water-scarce environments suggest good endurance. Its non-migratory nature, however, indicates it may not have the extreme endurance of long-distance migrants.

Senegal Thick-knees are omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects, small reptiles, and amphibians.

They forage by walking slowly and pecking at the ground, using their large eyes to spot prey in low light conditions. During the day, they may also consume seeds and small fruits.

Senegal Thick-knees are primarily nocturnal, becoming active at dusk. They often stand motionless for long periods, relying on their camouflage to avoid detection.

When alarmed, these birds prefer to run rather than fly, adopting a hunched posture with their heads lowered.

The Senegal Thick-knee has a distinctive, mournful call often heard at night. Its vocalisation is a series of whistling notes, typically described as a repeated "kwee-kwee-kwee" or "wee-wee-wee", which rises and falls in volume and pitch. During the day, they are generally silent unless alarmed.

Breeding occurs year-round in most of its range, with peaks during the dry season. Senegal Thick-knees form monogamous pairs and engage in courtship displays involving head-bobbing and wing-spreading.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often near water. The female typically lays two eggs, which are cryptically coloured to blend with the surrounding soil.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 25-27 days. Chicks are precocial, able to walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching, but remain under parental care for several weeks.

The Senegal Thick-knee typically lives for 10 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While the Senegal Thick-knee is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and urbanisation.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetland and grassland habitats within its range.

Look for Senegal Thick-knees in open, dry habitats near water bodies.
Listen for their distinctive calls at night, which can help locate them.
Use a spotlight carefully at night to observe their behaviour, but avoid disturbing them.
Search for their cryptic plumage against bare ground or short grass during the day.

Main predators include large raptors, jackals, and monitor lizards. Eggs and chicks are vulnerable to a wider range of predators, including snakes and small carnivores.

Senegal Thick-knees have exceptionally large eyes, which help them see in low light conditions.
They can survive in areas with little water, obtaining most of their moisture from their food.
These birds have a unique defensive behaviour of lying flat on the ground with eyes closed when threatened.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Senegal Thick-knee

References