The spotted thick-knee, also known as the spotted dikkop or Cape thick-knee, is a wader in the family Burhinidae. It is native to tropical regions of central and southern Africa.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from southern and eastern Africa into parts of central Africa, favoring open habitats such as savannas, dry grasslands, lightly wooded bushveld, and semi-arid scrub. It adapts well to human-modified landscapes, including farmlands, parks, road verges, and golf courses. By day it often rests motionless under low shrubs or in grass tussocks, relying on cryptic plumage. Breeding typically takes place on bare ground with minimal nest structure, where eggs blend with surrounding pebbles.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the spotted dikkop or Cape thick-knee, this nocturnal wader relies heavily on superb camouflage and a freeze posture to avoid detection. Its large yellow eyes aid low-light foraging, and when threatened it may raise its wings to flash bold white patches as a startle display. Pairs are strongly territorial and perform distraction displays near the nest.
![Usually 2 eggs are laid at a two-day interval. They measure some 5.2 cm × 3.8 cm. They are marked with sepia brown and ash grey on a pale, clay-coloured background.[4]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/Burhinus_capensis%2C_legsel%2C_Pretoria%2C_a.jpg/1280px-Burhinus_capensis%2C_legsel%2C_Pretoria%2C_a.jpg)
Usually 2 eggs are laid at a two-day interval. They measure some 5.2 cm × 3.8 cm. They are marked with sepia brown and ash grey on a pale, clay-coloured background.[4]
Temperament
shy, cryptic, and mostly nocturnal
Flight Pattern
strong, low flight with rapid wingbeats; conspicuous white wing flashes
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups; pairs hold territories and are largely monogamous. Nest is a simple ground scrape with typically two well-camouflaged eggs. Adults perform distraction or startle displays to deter predators near the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal mainly at night, giving loud, eerie whistles and yelps that carry over long distances. Calls often accelerate into chattering sequences during territorial or pair duets.
