The Senegal thick-knee is a stone-curlew, a group of waders in the family Burhinidae. Their vernacular scientific name refers to the prominent joints in the long yellow or greenish legs.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from Senegal and The Gambia east through the Sahel and savannas to Ethiopia and the Nile Valley, and south to parts of East Africa including Kenya and Tanzania. Prefers open, dry habitats with nearby water such as riverbanks, floodplains, lake shores, and coastal lagoons. Often found on sandy or stony ground, sparsely vegetated grasslands, and cultivated fields. Avoids dense forests and high mountains but adapts well to semi-arid landscapes and human-modified edges.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Senegal thick-knee is a stone-curlew with strikingly large yellow eyes adapted for crepuscular and nocturnal activity. Its prominent 'knees' are actually the ankle joints, giving the bird a distinctive stance. In flight it reveals bold black-and-white wing patterns. It often relies on camouflage, freezing against sandy or stony ground when disturbed.
Pair in flight, The Gambia
On display at Wildlife World Zoo.
Illustration of egg
Temperament
secretive and crepuscular
Flight Pattern
low, strong flight with rapid wingbeats and short glides
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, forming small loose groups where habitat is favorable. Monogamous pairs nest on the ground in a shallow scrape, often near water or on open gravel. Chicks are precocial and rely on camouflage while parents give distraction displays to deter predators.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Most vocal at dusk and night, giving clear, whistled and piping calls that carry over open country. Alarm notes are sharp and repeated, while display calls are more melodious, rising and falling in pitch.
