Water Thick-knee
Burhinus vermiculatus
Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Africa.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus) is a member of the Burhinidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 320 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 vermiculatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 320 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Burhinidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Water 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 Water Thick-knee is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus) is a species of bird in the Burhinidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF inland w, c to e, s Africa.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 320 g, with a wing length of about 19.6 cm and a tail of around 10.5 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 5.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Water Thick-knee?
The Water Thick-knee is a large bird that weighs around 320 g.
Where does the Water Thick-knee live?
The Water Thick-knee is found across Africa with a range covering AF inland w, c to e, s Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Water Thick-knee belong to?
The Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus) belongs to the Burhinidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Water Thick-knee eat?
The Water Thick-knee is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Water Thick-knee migrate?
The Water Thick-knee is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Water 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 Water Thick-knee make?
1 real field recording of the Water Thick-knee can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Water Thick-knee's range?
The Water Thick-knee has a mapped global range of about 5.8 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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