Fact Sheet : DOUBLE-STRIPED THICK-KNEE
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Burhinidae
What are double-striped thick-knees?
Double-striped thick-knees are a large bird about 45 cm long. They are nocturnal and don’t fly too often, but they run quickly when they are alarmed. They live either alone or in flocks. They have a broad, white eyebrow that is bordered on top by a black line. Their name refers to their large knee joints, which are actually heels. They have loud alarm calls that can be heard over 2 km.
Where do double-striped thick-knees live?
Double-striped thick-knees live in open, dry, and often stony grassland and bushy savannah, as well as on farm-land and ranches with dirt tracks. They can be found in southern Mexico and Costa Rica, along the Caribbean coast of South America, in northern and eastern Colombia, and in northwestern Brazil. They have been seen in southern Texas. At Brookfield Zoo, you can see them in the desert aviary in Be A Bird.
What do double-striped thick-knees eat?
Double-striped thick-knees eat insects, worms, mollusks, lizards, and small rodents. They eat at dawn, dusk, and night.
What are double-striped thick-knees’ nesting habits?
They nest during the dry season, during April or May. In the zoo, they may nest as early as December or January. Their nest is a simple hole in the ground. They lay two buff to muddy green eggs blotched with gray and brown. Males do most of the incubating.
How long do double-striped thick-knees live?
The oldest bird in the wild is 15 to 16 years. In captivity, they can live as long as 30 years.
When can I see double-striped thick-knees?
During the daytime, they crouch on the ground. They can be seen often at night, especially in car headlights.
Are double-striped thick-knees an endangered species?
No, they are not threatened globally. Their numbers actually increase where land has been deforested and become pasture.
What kinds of things will I see in the exhibit?
The desert in Be A Bird isn’t usually crowded.You can get right up to the front of the exhibit, so you should be able to see the birds pretty well. The double-striped thick-knees are very large birds, so you should be able to observe them easily.