The thick-knees are a small group of large shorebirds that typically inhabit tropical savannas, grasslands, and rocky plains\u2014hence their alternative name stone-curlew\u2014although three species are primarily associated with waterbodies.\u00a0 Most are at least partly nocturnal, spending the daylight hours hiding quietly in the shade of rocks and bushes.\u00a0 At night they become active and loud, giving piercing calls that carry for up to a mile or so.<\/p>

Thick-knees have the general appearance of oversized plovers, with long legs, robust bills, and large eyes.\u00a0 Their knees are on the thick side, but not impressively so.\u00a0 The eight species in the genus Burhinus<\/em> are cryptically plumaged and despite their size are surprisingly adept at blending into the landscape.\u00a0 The remaining two species, usually assigned to a second genus Esacus<\/em>, have boldly marked heads, shorter legs, and much heavier bills.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t