Stone Curlew
The Stone Curlews, also known as Dikkops or Thick-knees, consist of 10 species within the family Burhinidae and are found throughout the tropical and temperate parts of the world with 2 or more species occurring in some areas of Africa, Asia and Australia. Despite the group being classified as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
The Eurasian Stone Curlew, or simply Stone Curlew is a northern species in the family. It is a fairly large wader although it is mid-sized compared with other members of its family. It ranges in length from 38 to 15 to 18 inches with a wingspan from 30 to 35 inches. It has a strong yellow and black beak, large yellow eyes (which give it a "reptilian" or "goggle-eyed" appearance) and cryptic plumage. The bird is striking in flight with black and white wing markings.
The Stone Curlew can be found throughout Europe, north Africa and south west Asia. It is a summer migrant in the more temperate European and Asian parts of its range, wintering in Africa. Despite being classed as a wader, this species prefers dry open habitats with some bare ground.
In the UK, the Stone Curlew is a bird of dry, open places with bare, stony ground or very short vegetation. Its strongholds are in Wiltshire, around Salisbury Plain, and in the Brecks in Norfolk. The best place to see them is at NWT Weeting Heath in Norfolk where the Norfolk Wildlife Trust has established visitor and viewing facilities.
The Stone Curlew is largely nocturnal, particularly when singing its loud wailing songs which are reminiscent of that of the Curlew.
The Stone Curlew probably first breeds when 3 years old. The female usually lays 2 eggs in a scrape on open ground.
Both sexes incubate the eggs beginning after the last egg is laid. The eggs hatch after 24 to 26 days. The precocial young leave the nest soon after hatching and are then cared for by both parents for 36 to 42 days. Normally only a single brood is raised each year but a replacement clutch is sometimes laid after the loss of eggs or the loss of small young.
The Stone Curlew feeds on insects and other small invertebrates and occasionally small reptiles, frogs and rodents.
Although categorized by the IUCN as of “Least Concern”, some populations are showing declines due to agricultural intensification. The UK population is estimated to be around 400 pairs and many breed within the protection of nature reserves.
Date: 5th June 2023
Location: NWT Weeting Heath, Norfolk
The Eurasian Stone Curlew, or simply Stone Curlew is a northern species in the family. It is a fairly large wader although it is mid-sized compared with other members of its family. It ranges in length from 38 to 15 to 18 inches with a wingspan from 30 to 35 inches. It has a strong yellow and black beak, large yellow eyes (which give it a "reptilian" or "goggle-eyed" appearance) and cryptic plumage. The bird is striking in flight with black and white wing markings.
The Stone Curlew can be found throughout Europe, north Africa and south west Asia. It is a summer migrant in the more temperate European and Asian parts of its range, wintering in Africa. Despite being classed as a wader, this species prefers dry open habitats with some bare ground.
In the UK, the Stone Curlew is a bird of dry, open places with bare, stony ground or very short vegetation. Its strongholds are in Wiltshire, around Salisbury Plain, and in the Brecks in Norfolk. The best place to see them is at NWT Weeting Heath in Norfolk where the Norfolk Wildlife Trust has established visitor and viewing facilities.
The Stone Curlew is largely nocturnal, particularly when singing its loud wailing songs which are reminiscent of that of the Curlew.
The Stone Curlew probably first breeds when 3 years old. The female usually lays 2 eggs in a scrape on open ground.
Both sexes incubate the eggs beginning after the last egg is laid. The eggs hatch after 24 to 26 days. The precocial young leave the nest soon after hatching and are then cared for by both parents for 36 to 42 days. Normally only a single brood is raised each year but a replacement clutch is sometimes laid after the loss of eggs or the loss of small young.
The Stone Curlew feeds on insects and other small invertebrates and occasionally small reptiles, frogs and rodents.
Although categorized by the IUCN as of “Least Concern”, some populations are showing declines due to agricultural intensification. The UK population is estimated to be around 400 pairs and many breed within the protection of nature reserves.
Date: 5th June 2023
Location: NWT Weeting Heath, Norfolk
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Also in: Stone Curlews
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