Stone-curlew

Bird names are often confusing, and the stone-curlew is a case in point, because it is not a curlew! It takes its name from its call, which is not unlike that of the true curlew.

The stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) is officially a wader, although it is rarely found near water. It is usually seen in open fields or dry, sandy and barren places (hence the “stone”) and it is largely nocturnal.

The stone-curlew (the hyphen is used in most, but not all, sources) is native to southern and eastern Europe, where it is resident, but some populations migrate between Africa and western Europe, including south-eastern England. Places to see them include Salisbury Plain and the Breckland region of Norfolk.

Appearance

The stone-curlew is about 40 centimetres (15.5 inches) in length. It is ungainly in appearance, with a large head and long yellow legs. The plumage is mainly brown, streaked with black, with white on the belly, throat and underwings. The wings are edged in black and also include white bars. The bill is yellow with a black tip. There is no discernable difference between the plumage of male and female stone-curlews.

The stone-curlew’s most distinctive visual features are its large eyes, which are yellow with black pupils. These owl-like eyes are ideal for searching for food at night.

Another feature to note is the prominent leg joint which gives the bird its alternative name of “thick-knee” (the species name oedicnemus translates as “swollen leg”). Some of the tropical relatives of the stone-curlew include “thick-knee” in their name.

Behaviour

The stone-curlew is a shy bird that will lie flat if alarmed, or run in a furtive, hunched manner, pausing from time to time. It is often seen in groups.

The stone-curlew’s flight is strong, with slow wing-beats leading to glides. The call, as mentioned above, is not unlike that of the true curlew, but shriller. The call is most likely to be heard at dawn and dusk.

Stone-curlews feed mainly on insects.

Breeding

The stone-curlew reaches its breeding grounds in April. The nest comprises an unlined scrape in the bare ground, in which two (sometimes three) eggs are laid, usually in May. Both partners share the duties of incubation, which takes about 27 days. A second brood is often raised in July. The birds leave for their winter quarters in August or September.

The stone-curlew has amber conservation status in the UK, due to its relative rarity, with fewer than 400 pairs breeding here every year.

© John Welford