Birdsong field guide
Double-striped Thick-knee
Hesperoburhinus bistriatus
A large, terrestrial wader of the Neotropics, easily recognized by its bold black-and-white facial stripes and large yellow eyes adapted for nocturnal activity.
What it sounds like
A loud, shrill, and rhythmic series of 'kree-kree-kree' or 'kee-wick' notes, typically delivered in a frantic tempo at night.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto
Field notes
- Despite its classification as a shorebird, it is almost exclusively found in dry, open habitats far from water.
- The 'thick-knees' for which it is named are actually its swollen ankle joints, not its true knees.
- It is highly beneficial to agriculture, as it frequently hunts scorpions and large pest insects in cattle pastures.
- During the day, it remains remarkably still in the shade, relying on its cryptic brown plumage to blend into the dry earth.
- They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, with their vocalizations often becoming most intense on moonlit nights.
Habitat
Arid savannas, grasslands, and open ranchlands with sparse vegetation.
Range
Southern Mexico through Central America to northern South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, and northern Brazil.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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