Rodilla gruesa euroasiática

1. Nombre del ave
English name: Eurasian Thick-knee
Scientific name: Burhinus oedicnemus

2. Aspecto
The Eurasian Thick-knee, also known as the Stone-curlew, is an enigmatic and unique-looking bird. It has large, yellow eyes that are surrounded by a rim of white feathers, a strong, pointed beak, and long greenish-gray legs. The bird has a sandy-brown color with a pattern of black and white streaks on the wings, which creates an excellent camouflage in its environment. Both sexes have similar appearances, making them difficult to distinguish.

3. Tamaño
On average, an adult Eurasian Thick-knee measures between 38 to 46 cm (15 to 18 inches) in length. They have a wingspan ranging from 76 to 88 cm (30 to 35 inches) and weigh between 290 to 535 grams (10 to 18.87 ounces).

4. Hábitat y distribución
This bird can be found across a broad geographical area, from the United Kingdom and Spain in the west, to India and Mongolia in the east. Preferring open landscapes, Eurasian Thick-knees are often found in grasslands, semi-desert areas, farmlands, and airports. They can also be encountered in coastal areas such as gravel or sandy beaches.

5. Datos de interés
Despite its strong beak and long legs, the Eurasian Thick-knee is not a proficient flyer. It’s largely nocturnal, becoming more active and vocal after dusk. The bird’s strikingly large eyes, a unique trait among waders, provide excellent night vision which aids in feeding and evading predators.

6. Dieta
This bird species primarily feeds on insects, particularly beetles and crickets. They are known to also consume spiders, worms, snails, small reptiles, and occasionally small mammals and birds.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos
Eurasian Thick-knees are generally solitary or found in pairs. They have a peculiar two-note call described as a mournful whistle, rendered as “cur-loo”, often repeated several times. During the breeding season, males can be seen in a display flight, calling and circling high over the breeding area.

8. Estado de conservación
Despite its wide range, the Eurasian Thick-knee is listed as a bird of “least concern” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

9. Vida útil
Eurasian Thick-knees typically live for between 10 and 15 years in the wild. The longest recorded lifespan in captivity is 16 years.

10. Notas adicionales
Locally, many refer to the Eurasian Thick-knee as the ‘goggle-eyed plover’. Their eggs are known to be extremely well camouflaged, making them hard to spot even in open landscapes. As ground-nesting birds, their breeding success greatly depends on the absence of ground predators and human interference. In ecosystems, they play a role in controlling insect and small invertebrate populations. Despite their largely nocturnal nature, Eurasian Thick-knees have been found to be surprisingly tolerant of human presence, often nesting and feeding relatively close to human habitation.