Senegal thick-knee

The Senegal thick-knee is a stone curlew which takes its name from its pronounced leg joints and of course, it is found in Senegal.

Senegal-Thick-knee
©Rob Carr – Senegal Thick-knee – Coastal Pools near Footsteps
Senegal-Thick-knee
©Rob Carr – Senegal Thick-knee – Kotu Creek

Bird information.

Where can we see a Senegal thick knee?

The pictures above were photographed between Footsteps and the beach and also at Kotu Creek. Otherwise common across The Gambia preferring dry open habitats with some bare ground and near water.

What does it look like?

Senegal thick-knees are medium-large waders with strong black and yellow black bills, large yellow eyes — which give them a reptilian appearance — and cryptic plumage. They are similar but slightly smaller than the Eurasian stone-curlew, which winters in Africa. The long dark bill, a single black bar on the folded wing, and darker cheek stripe are distinctions from the European species. Senegal’s thick knee is striking in flight, with a broad white wing bar. Source Wikipedia

What does it feed on?

They feed on insects, also crustaceans and other invertebrates, and sometimes on small reptiles.

Want to know an interesting Factoid?

It is believed that both parents incubate the eggs which hatch after about three weeks but detailed information in this regard is unknown. Source BirdFact

How does it sound?

Its call is a high-pitched pi – pi – pi – pi, which rises and falls in both pitch and intensity. More commonly heard at dusk and dawn.

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