Birdsong field guide
Peruvian Thick-knee
Hesperoburhinus superciliaris
A large, nocturnal shorebird of arid coastal environments, distinguished by its cryptic plumage and striking yellow eyes.
What it sounds like
A loud, shrill, and repetitive series of whistling notes, often heard at night or during twilight.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto
Field notes
- It is primarily nocturnal, possessing large eyes specialized for hunting insects and small vertebrates in low light.
- The 'thick knee' that gives the bird its name is actually an enlarged tibiotarsal joint, not a true knee.
- When disturbed during the day, it often freezes or crouches to utilize its desert-toned camouflage rather than flying.
- It is the only member of the thick-knee family (Burhinidae) native to the Pacific coast of South America.
- Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, making the eggs highly vulnerable to trampling and predators.
Habitat
Coastal deserts, arid scrublands, stony plains, and agricultural field edges.
Range
Western South America, specifically coastal regions of Ecuador, Peru, and northern Chile.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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