Burhinus oedicnemus saharae

(Reichenow, 1894)

Vernacular names
English : Eurasian thick-knee
French : Oedicnème criard

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Charadriiformes
Family : Burhinidae
Notes : 4 other subspecies known

Identification
Adults can reach 44 cm in length for a weight of 535 g. Light-yellow legs, yellow-bill with black tip. Plumage light brown with black streaking and white band on wings. White belly and white markings on face. Bright yellow eyes.

Range and habitat
Subspecies found in north Africa and from Greece and Turkey to middle-east and Iran. Species occurs from western Europe and north Africa to central Asia. Lives in open woodlands, dry grasslands, semi deserts, up to 2300 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range but its habitat is fragmented. It is declining because of habitat loss in many parts of its range. Also locally hunted.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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