Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Senegal Thick-knee
Burhinus senegalensis
Senegal Thick-knee (Burhinus senegalensis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Senegal Thick-knee (Burhinus senegalensis) is a member of the Burhinidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 326 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Burhinidae Stone-curlews, Thick-knees
- Genus Burhinus
- Species senegalensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 326 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Burhinidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Senegal Thick-knee is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Senegal Thick-knee is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Senegal Thick-knee (Burhinus senegalensis) is a species of bird in the Burhinidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF inland Senegal to Ethiopia and Kenya and n to Egypt.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 326 g, with a wing length of about 20.7 cm and a tail of around 10.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Senegal Thick-knee?
The Senegal Thick-knee is a large bird that weighs around 326 g.
Where does the Senegal Thick-knee live?
The Senegal Thick-knee is found across Africa with a range covering AF inland Senegal to Ethiopia and Kenya and n to Egypt, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Senegal Thick-knee belong to?
The Senegal Thick-knee (Burhinus senegalensis) belongs to the Burhinidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Senegal Thick-knee eat?
The Senegal Thick-knee is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Senegal Thick-knee migrate?
The Senegal Thick-knee is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Senegal Thick-knee endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Senegal Thick-knee make?
1 real field recording of the Senegal Thick-knee — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Senegal Thick-knee's range?
The Senegal Thick-knee has a mapped global range of about 7 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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