Mystery Bird: Spotted Thick-Knee, Burhinus capensis

grrlscientist — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 07:59:41 +0000

tags: Cape Thick-Knee, Spotted Dikkop, Spotted Thick-Knee, Burhinus capensis, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz

~~[Mystery bird]~~ Spotted Thick-Knee, also known as the Cape Thick-Knee or the Spotted Dikkop, Burhinus capensis, photographed in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Africa. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]

Image: Dan Logen, 18 January 2010 [larger view].

Nikon D300, 600 mm VR lens with 1.4 extender. ISO 400, 1/1600 sec, f/6.3. Exposure compensation -1.3.

Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.

Review all mystery birds to date.

grrlscientist Sun, 03/28/2010 - 03:59

Ok, I am no world-trotting birder so I can just come out and say something, yes? No need to be cryptic?
Or should I be indirect anyway?

I think I recognize this bird from its very prominent eye, and the feature it's named after (in one of its common names) is hidden behind an object that's prominent in one of its other common names.

I think I've spotted one of these in a zoo, once.

pk1154: I think I can see where you're going, and I agree with your identification. To be even more specific, I believe this one has something to do with a cape.

Hai~Ren,

Yes, not striped, nor wet, nor on an African beach...so...