Peruvian Thick-knee
Hesperoburhinus superciliaris
Distinctive, large nocturnal “shorebird” of dry desert habitats in lowlands. Note the big pale eyes, striped head, and long pale yellowish legs. Favors sandy and stony soils, often with scattered vegetation; even found in small dirt lots in towns and villages, where it seems fairly tolerant of people. Usually found as pairs or small groups. Spends the day resting, often sitting on the ground in the shade. Prefers to run, rather than fly when alarmed. Active at night, when far-carrying yaps reveal its presence.
Identification
This medium-sized bird has brownish-grey plumage with brown streaks and spots. The underparts are white and the legs are yellow and long. There is a white streak through the eye with a black upper border. The short beak has a black tip. The length is about 40 cm (16 in).
Taxonomy
The Peruvian thick-knee was formally described in 1843 by the Swiss naturalist Johann Jakob von Tschudi from a specimen collected in the coastal region of Peru. He coined the binomial name Oedicnenus superciliaris (the genus name is a typographic error for Oedicnemus). The specific epithet is Modern Latin meaning "eyebrowed" (supercillium is the Latin word for "eyebrow"). The Peruvian thick-knee is now placed in the genus Burhinus that was erected in 1811 by the German zoologist Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger. In IOC 14.1, the Peruvian thick-knee was transferred to the newly described genus Hesperoburhinus. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.
- Scientific name
- Hesperoburhinus superciliaris
- Authority
- (Tschudi, 1843)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Burhinidae
- Genus
- Hesperoburhinus
Range and habitat
The Peruvian thick-knee is found in South America in the coastal strip between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. Its range extends from northern Chile, through Peru to southern Ecuador. Its typical habitat is semi-desert areas, agricultural land, dry pasture or well-vegetated river valleys. It particularly favours open crops such as alfalfa or corn.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Nicobar Megapode
Megapodius nicobariensis
Large, brownish bird with a small gray head and massive legs and feet. Forages on the ground in coastal forests in the Nicobar Islands. Builds a large mound for a nest, from where the newly-hatched chicks dig themselves out and become immediately independent. Said to sing when it is dark, giving out a series of low-pitched wails which then reach a crescendo, culminating in a loud, metallic clattering sound.
Buru Thrush
Geokichla dumasi
A distinctive thrush with chocolate-brown upperparts, a dark head with a conspicuous pale eye-ring, a black throat, and a white belly. Also shows rows of clean white spots on wings. Juveniles show pale streaking above, a buffy underside, and irregular black, buff, and rufous mottling below. Inhabits deep undergrowth, typically foraging on the ground singly or in pairs, within forests of foothills and lower mountains. Perches low in the understory also. Restricted to Buru, where it is the only thrush. Melodious song, characteristic of thrushes, comprises short whistles and scratchy notes. Also gives a shrill, drawn-out “seeeeeeeet” call note.
Akekee
Loxops caeruleirostris
A small, very rare Hawaiian honeycreeper of remote native forests on Kauai. Declining rapidly; found only above 4,000 feet elevation in the eastern ‘Alaka’i Plateau. Males are yellow with a small black mask and females are greenish. The crossed bill that is uses to pry open leaf buds in search of insects and larvae is difficult to see. The longer tail with a notched tip distinguishes it from other small honeycreepers. Its rarely-heard song is a wavering trill that changes in speed and pitch. Call is a soft upslurred “suweet.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.