- Stone Curlew
Taxobox
name = Stone Curlew
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
status_ref = [IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International |year=2004|id=49108|title=Burhinus oedicnemus|downloaded=11 May 2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern]
image_width = 240px
image_caption = Stone Curlew
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Aves
ordo = Charadriiformes
familia =Burhinidae
genus = "Burhinus "
species = "B. oedicnemus"
binomial = "Burhinus oedicnemus"
binomial_authority = (Linnaeus,1758 )The Stone Curlew or Eurasian Stone-curlew "Burhinus oedicnemus" is a northern species of the
Burhinidae (stone-curlew )bird family.It is a medium-sized wader with a strong yellow and black beak, large yellow eyes (which give it a "
reptilian ", or "goggle-eyed" appearance), and cryptic plumage. The scientific name refers to the prominent joints in the long yellow or greenish legs. The bird is striking in flight, with black and white wing markings.Despite being classed as a wader, this species has a preference for dry open habitats with some bare ground. It is largely
nocturnal , particularly when singing its loud wailing songs, which are reminiscent of that ofcurlew s (possibly the cause of the name). Food consists ofinsect s and other smallinvertebrates . It will also takelizard s. It lays 2-3 eggs in a narrow scrape in the ground.The stone curlew occurs throughout
Europe , northAfrica and southwesternAsia . It is a summer migrant in the more temperate European and Asian parts of its range, wintering inAfrica .In
Egypt , the melodic song of the stone curlew is often heard at night, although the bird is almost never seen. Its song is featured in poetry, songs, and movies, such as [http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86 Song of the Stone Curlew] .References
Gallery
External links
* [http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/birds/Burhinus_oedicnemus/ ARKive] Photos, video.
* [http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/164_StonecurlewBoedicnemus.pdf Identification guide (PDF) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta]
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