ID Keys: Thick yellow and black bill, large yellow eye, white
supercillium with dark stripe above it, brown plumage above, white
below, long yellow legs.
The
Double-striped Thick-knee is a "shorebird" of southern Mexico, Central
America, and South America. In the United States, they are only
extremely rare vagrants, with a sighting on "King's Ranch" in southern Texas
in 1951. They are a species of open grasslands and savannahs, where
they forage for insects and sometimes small vertebrates.
Double-striped Thick-knees feed using a "stop-and-go" technique, running
quickly along the ground and stopping periodically to pick up prey. A
strongly terrestrial species, they also prefer to run when disturbed or when
danger approaches, rather than fly.
Habitat
Found in open habitats such as grasslands, open savannahs, and agricultural areas. Also can sometimes be found in open woodland.
Diet
Feeds on insects, worms, and mollusks, and occasionally on small reptiles or rodents.
Behavior
Mostly nocturnal. During the day, Double-striped Thick-knees typically crouch low in vegetation and rest. At night, they forage by quickly running short distances, stopping periodically to pick up prey.
Nesting
The nest of a Double-striped Thick-knee is a shallow depression in the ground. The female lays 2 eggs, and both parents help to incubate them. When the eggs hatch, the young quickly leave the nest. They are tended to by the parents, but are precocial and will find their own food.
Song
Song of a Double-striped Thick-knee is a loud " kee-kee-kee-kee ", given at night.
Migration
Considered a permanent resident throughout its normal range.
Interactive eBird Map
Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Double-striped Thick Knee sightings
Similar Species
Generally distinctive compared to other shorebird species found in North America.
Conservation Status
Populations are strong, stable, and spread out over a wide geographic region. The IUCN lists the Double-striped Thick-knee as a species of "Least Concern".
Photo Information
Photo taken by Steve Garvie - July 13th, 2008 in Costa Rica - Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
