Thick-knee

[botspur]

In Botswana we have two species of Thick-knee the Spotted and Water. I much prefered the old name of "Dikkop" but it was changed to Thick-knee.
Both birds are crepuscular and very vocal during the full moon, they can be seen more often during overcast days.
Spotted Thick-knee

Water Thick-knee

C&C welcomed.

[Inkanyezi]

Puzzling isn't it? Dikkop (thickhead?) -> thick-knee...

[davidedric]

As you say, crepuscular and not easy to photograph so well done. I also love the other name for the water thick knee: the "flat battery bird", once heard never forgotten.

[AndyB1975]

Lovely, very well captured, and a bird I had never heard of until now.

The second picture (Water Thick-Knee) has an almost comical look to it with those long gangly legs, small frame and big eye.

[botspur]

Hi All, many thanks for the comment. Urban, when you spell-out dikkop as "thickhead" where did thick-knee come from or vice-versa. The thick-knee on the water thick-knee is very pronounced.
Hi Dave, thanks. Never heard it referred to as the "flat-battery bird" before. If we camp by water they enter the campsite at night and run around like little wind-up toys. Can also make a lot of noise.
Hi Andy, thank you. The large eye is very diagnostic.

[davidedric]

Never heard it referred to as the "flat-battery bird"

Yeh, I've been looking for a recording, but there don't seem to be any very good ones. One or two of these have the slowing down call:
http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Burhinus-vermiculatus