The double-striped thick-knee is a stone-curlew, a group of waders in the family Burhinidae. The vernacular name refers to the prominent joints in the long greenish-grey legs, and bistriatus to the two stripes of the head pattern.
Region
Central America and northern South America
Typical Environment
Found from coastal and lowland Mexico through Central America to northern South America, including Colombia and Venezuela. It favors open, dry habitats such as savannas, grazed pastures, dry scrub, and agricultural fields, often near scattered trees or scrub for cover. Frequently uses airstrips, fallow fields, and lightly disturbed grasslands. It avoids dense forests but tolerates mosaics of open farmland and natural grassland.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The double-striped thick-knee is a nocturnal stone-curlew with strikingly large yellow eyes adapted for low-light hunting. Its sandy, streaked plumage makes it extremely cryptic by day, when it often freezes to avoid detection. In flight it flashes bold white wing patches. Nests are simple ground scrapes with 1–2 eggs, and adults perform distraction displays to draw predators away.
At the Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens
Temperament
wary and crepuscular
Flight Pattern
strong low flight with quick wingbeats; flashing white wing patches
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, maintaining territories in suitable open habitats. Nests on the ground in a shallow scrape with minimal lining. Both parents incubate and brood, and adults use distraction displays to protect chicks. Chicks are precocial and rely on camouflage.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal mainly at night with loud, far-carrying, whistled calls, often a repeated, plaintive series. Calls can accelerate or rise in pitch during territorial exchanges. Daytime vocalizations are less frequent and softer.
