Indian Stone-curlew

The Indian stone-curlew, also known as the Indian thick-knee (Burhinus indicus), is a bird of remarkable adaptation, blending seamlessly into its environment. With a length of approximately 41 centimeters, this stocky, ground-dwelling bird exhibits a sandy brown plumage with dark streaks, making it a master of camouflage against the soils and rocks of its habitat. Its large, yellow eyes hint at its nocturnal nature, and the stout legs culminate in thick 'knees', a characteristic that lends the species its common name.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Indian stone-curlew, look for the distinctive dark stripe that borders a creamy moustachial stripe below the eye, as well as a narrow creamy supercilium. Both sexes appear similar, while juveniles are paler with more pronounced buff and streaks on the underparts. In flight, the bird reveals two prominent white bars and a white patch on the darker primaries. When at rest, a broad pale band is visible on the wing.

Habitat

The Indian stone-curlew favors dry deciduous forests, thorn forests, scrubby riverbeds, and even adapts well to human-modified landscapes such as gardens.

Distribution

This species is native to a range of countries across South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Behaviour

The Indian stone-curlew is primarily active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. By day, it can often be found standing motionless under the shade of a bush, while at night it becomes more vocal and social, typically found in small groups.

Song & Calls

The nocturnal calls of the Indian stone-curlew are a series of sharp, whistling notes that can be described as "pick-pick-pick-pick," sometimes culminating in a "pick-wick, pick-wick" sound.

Breeding

The breeding season peaks in March and April. The female lays a clutch of 2 to 3 stone-colored eggs in a simple scrape on the ground, often at the base of a bush. The female primarily incubates the eggs, while the male stands guard. The downy chicks are cryptically colored and exhibit instinctual freezing and crouching behaviors when threatened, making them difficult to spot.

Diet and Feeding

The Indian stone-curlew's diet is predominantly composed of insects, worms, small reptiles, and occasionally seeds.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Indian stone-curlew as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher risk category.