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Burhinidae

(Family)

Overview

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The Stone-curlews, also known as Dikkops or Thick-knees are a group of largely tropical birds in the family Burhinidae. Despite the group being classified as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia.

They are medium to large birds with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes?which give them a reptilian appearance?and cryptic plumage. The names Thick-knee and Stone-curlew are both in common use, the preference among authorities for one term or the other varying from year to year. The term Stone-curlew owes its origin to the broad similarities with true curlews (which are not closely related). Thick-knee refers to the prominent joints in the long yellow or greenish legs and apparently originated with a name coined in 1776 for B. oedicnemus, the Thick-kneed Bustard.

They are largely nocturnal, particularly when singing their loud wailing songs, which are reminiscent of true curlews.1]

The diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates. Larger species will also take lizards and even small mammals.[1]

Most species are sedentary, but the Stone Curlew is a summer migrant in the temperate European part of its range, wintering in Africa.

Species

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The nine species are:

arge birds with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes?which give them a reptilian appearance?and cryptic plumage. The names Thick-knee and Stone-curlew are both in common use, the preference among authorities for one term or the other varying from year to year. The term Stone-curlew owes its origin to the broad similarities with true curlews (which are not closely related). Thick-knee refers to the prominent joints in the long yellow or greenish legs and apparently originated with a name coined in 1776 for B. oedicnemus, the Thick-kneed Bustard.

They are largely nocturnal, particularly when singing their loud wailing songs, which are reminiscent of true curlews.1]

The diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates. Larger species will also take lizards and even small mammals.[1]

Most species are sedentary, but the Stone Curlew is a summer migrant in the temperate European part of its range, wintering in Africa.

Species

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The nine species are:

References

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  1. ^ a b Harrison, Colin J.O. (1991). Forshaw, Joseph. ed. Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds. London: Merehurst Press. pp. 105?106. ISBN 1-85391-186-0. 

External links

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Taxonomy

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The Family Burhinidae is a member of the Superfamily Burhinoidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Burhinidae:

The Family Burhinidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Burhinus

Burhinus is a genus of in the Burhinidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Esacus

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[1] [more]

Oedicnemus

[more]

At least 6 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Oedicnemus.

More info about the Genus Oedicnemus may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ a b Harrison, Colin J.O. (1991). Forshaw, Joseph. ed. Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds. London: Merehurst Press. pp. 105?106. ISBN 1-85391-186-0. 

Bibliography

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Footnotes

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  1. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=1234

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:26:21