Eurasian Stone-curlew Bird Facts (Burhinus oedicnemus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Eurasian Stone-curlew is a medium-sized wader with a distinctive appearance. It has a plump body, a large head, and long yellow legs. The bird's upperparts are mottled brown and buff, providing excellent camouflage in its open habitats.

Its most striking features are its large, bright yellow eyes with black pupils, giving it an alert expression. The bird has a short, strong bill that is yellow with a black tip. There is little difference between males and females in appearance.

Size

Length

40cm to 44cm

Wingspan

76cm to 88cm

Weight

290g to 535g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Buff

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Yellow Black

Leg Colour

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Eurasian Stone-curlew is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Eurasian Stone-curlew is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Eurasian Stone-curlew is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Eurasian Stone-curlew is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Eurasian Stone-curlew is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Eurasian Stone-curlew can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Eurasian Stone-curlew can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Eurasian Stone-curlew can be found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Eurasian Stone-curlew is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Eurasian Stone-curlew is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Eurasian Stone-curlew is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Eurasian Stone-curlew is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Eurasian Stone-curlews inhabit dry, open landscapes with sparse vegetation. They prefer stony soils, heathlands, and semi-arid areas. Their range extends across parts of Europe, North Africa, and southwest Asia.

In the UK, they are rare, with around 300 breeding pairs, found mainly in East Anglia and southern England. Around 72% of those are distributed in Norfolk and Suffolk. There are strongholds in Wiltshire, on the Salisbury Plain and Brecks in Norfolk. You can find special viewing areas at Minsmere reserve in Suffolk and Weeting Heath in Norfolk.

During winter, many European birds migrate to warmer regions in Africa and the Middle East, while some populations in southern Europe and North Africa are resident year-round.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Eurasian Stone-curlew. 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

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Afghanistan Algeria Bulgaria Cyprus Egypt Gibraltar Iran Iraq Israel Italy Jordan Lebanon Libya Morocco Oman Pakistan Palestine Portugal Saudi Arabia Spain Sudan Syria Tunisia United Arab Emirates Western Sahara Yemen

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Albania Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina China Croatia Czech Republic France Georgia Greece Hungary Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Lithuania Macedonia Moldova Montenegro Poland Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Tajikistan The United Kingdom Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Mali Mauritania Niger Qatar Senegal Somalia Uganda

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Belgium Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Estonia Finland Germany Iceland Ireland Kuwait Liechtenstein Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Nigeria Norway Sierra Leone Sweden Switzerland

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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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.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

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

The Eurasian Stone-curlew displays considerable agility, particularly in its nocturnal activities and quick reflexes when foraging. Its ability to freeze instantly when threatened also suggests good bodily control.

Strength 60

Strength

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

Whilst not exceptionally strong, this medium-sized wader possesses enough strength to forage effectively, including catching small vertebrates. Its short, strong bill indicates moderate strength for its size.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

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

Highly adaptable, the Stone-curlew thrives in various open habitats across Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. Its omnivorous diet and ability to migrate or remain resident depending on conditions demonstrate significant adaptability.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

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

Generally not aggressive, the Stone-curlew relies more on camouflage and freezing behaviour for defence. However, it may display some aggression when protecting its nest or young.

Endurance 70

Endurance

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

The Stone-curlew shows good endurance, particularly evident in its migratory behaviour. Some populations undertake long-distance migrations to Africa and the Middle East, indicating considerable stamina. Its ability to remain active throughout the night also suggests decent endurance.

Diet

Eurasian Stone-curlews are omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects, worms, and small vertebrates. Some main food items include beetles, crickets, caterpillars, ants, flies, earthworms, slugs, snails and earwigs.

Their diet may also include small mammals, reptiles, and occasionally plant material. They are particularly fond of beetles and their larvae.

They forage by walking slowly and pecking at prey on the ground, usually at night. They'll often forage alone but sometimes in groups of up to 6.

Behaviour

Eurasian Stone-curlews are primarily nocturnal, becoming most active at dusk and dawn. They have a peculiar habit of freezing in place when threatened, relying on their camouflage for protection.

These birds are generally solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season but may form small flocks during migration or in winter.

Vocalisation

The Eurasian Stone-curlew has a distinctive, far-carrying call (around 800m) often heard at night. Its primary vocalisation is a plaintive, wailing 'cur-lee' or 'wee-oo', which gives rise to its alternative name, Stone-curlew.

Calls are melodically and structurally diverse, often undulating in volume. Multiple birds join songs to form large choruses that can sing for some 30 minutes. During courtship or when alarmed, they may also produce a series of sharp, staccato notes.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Eurasian Stone-curlews typically begins in late March or April. They form monogamous pairs and often return to the same breeding sites each year.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, sometimes lined with small stones or debris. The female usually lays two eggs, which are well-camouflaged with a buff background and dark brown blotches.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 24-26 days. Chicks are precocial, able to walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching. They fledge after 36-42 days but remain with their parents for several weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, Eurasian Stone-curlews face regional challenges. In the UK, they are amber-listed due to historical declines.

Conservation efforts focus on habitat management, including maintaining suitable nesting areas and reducing disturbance during breeding season.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

360,000 - 590,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Stone-curlews in open, dry habitats with short vegetation or bare ground.
Listen for their distinctive wailing call at night, especially during the breeding season.
Use binoculars to spot their large yellow eyes, which can be visible even at a distance.
In the UK, visit areas like the Brecks in East Anglia or Salisbury Plain for better chances of sighting.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Stone-curlew, Thick-knee

Family:

Burhinidae

Average Lifespan

6 years

Max Lifespan

17.9 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators of Eurasian Stone-curlews include foxes, badgers, and birds of prey such as owls and harriers. Ground-nesting makes eggs and chicks particularly vulnerable to predation.

Did You Know?

Eurasian Stone-curlews have exceptionally large eyes, which help them see well in low light conditions.
They are also known as Thick-knees due to their robust leg joints.
In some regions, they are considered agricultural allies for their consumption of insect pests.
They typically detect humans from over 100m away, making themselves scarce long before contact.

References

1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Burhinus oedicnemus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T45111439A132038252.
View source
3
report, 2015: Wetlands International
4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source