Eurasian Stone-curlew

Burhinus oedicnemus

With piercing yellow eyes and cryptic plumage, this ground-dwelling bird is a master of camouflage in open habitats worldwide.

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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