Water Thick-knee

Burhinus vermiculatus

Other Names

  Water Dikkop   OEdicnème vermiculé   Wassertriel   Alcaraván Acuático   Vattentjockfot   Watergriel   Occhione vermicolato

World: Africa south of 5°N from Liberia across to southern Somalia and then south to South Africa (although absent from sw deserts)

Kenya: Mostly absent from the north, widespread elsewhere on lake shores and river banks adjacent to woodland or bush

The Water Thick-knee, like the other Thick-knees, is mainly nocturnal. It is, however, more active during the day than the rest of its genus. By day it can be found on river and lake edges (normally blending in beautifully with the rocks!). It takes an experienced guide, and good boatman, to get a close look at the Water Thick-knee of Lake Baringo. They can generally be found along the edges of the islands in the centre of the lake. These birds were photographed from a boat at Lake Baringo, in January 1998