language-icon Old Web
English
Sign In

Burhinus capensis

The spotted thick-knee (Burhinus capensis) also known as the spotted dikkop, Cape thick-knee, or Miiby bird is a wader in the family Burhinidae. It is native to tropical regions of central and southern Africa. The spotted thick-knee, which can reach up to 45.5 cm (17.9 in) in height, has long legs and brown-and-white speckled plumage which provides camouflage, making it difficult to spot the bird in the grasslands and savannas where it roams. Its head is large and round with a prominent yellow eye and a short, stout beak. When in flight or standing in a characteristic position with its wings raised, it shows a striking contrasting pattern. Its legs are long and yellow and the tibiotarsal joint is expanded, giving it the name 'thick-knee'.

[ "Ecology", "Zoology", "Cape" ]
Parent Topic
Child Topic
    No Parent Topic