Eurasian Stone-curlew
The Stone Curlew or Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus is a northern species of the Burhinidae (stone-curlew) bird family.
Description
It is a medium-sized wader with a strong yellow and black beak, large yellow eyes (which give it a “reptilian”, or “goggle-eyed” appearance), and cryptic plumage.
The scientific name refers to the prominent joints in the long yellow or greenish legs. The bird is striking in flight, with black and white wing markings.
It is largely nocturnal, particularly when singing its loud wailing songs, which are reminiscent of that of curlews (possibly the cause of the name).
Distribution / Range
The stone curlew occurs throughout Europe, north Africa and southwestern Asia. It is a summer migrant in the more temperate European and Asian parts of its range, wintering in Africa.
Despite being classed as a wader, this species has a preference for dry open habitats with some bare ground.
Diet / Feeding
Food consists of insects and other small invertebrates. It will also take small reptiles and rodents.
Breeding / Nesting
It lays 2-3 eggs in a narrow scrape in the ground.
Song / Vocalizations
In Egypt, the melodic song of the stone curlew is often heard at night, although the bird is almost never seen. Its song is featured in poetry, songs, and movies, such as Song of the Stone Curlew.
Subspecies
There are six subspecies of Burhinus oedicnemus:
- Burhinus oedicnemus distinctus (Bannerman, 1914) Canary Islands central and western
- Burhinus oedicnemus harterti Vaurie, 1963
- Burhinus oedicnemus indicus (Salvadori, 1865)
- Burhinus oedicnemus insularum (Sassi, 1908) Canary Islands, eastern
- Burhinus oedicnemus oedicnemus (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Burhinus oedicnemus saharae (Reichenow, 1894)
