The stone-curlew is neither a stone nor a curlew, but a nocturnal enigma.

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: With reptilian yellow eyes and a name that confuses anatomy, the stone-curlew is a master of misdirection. Despite its misleading moniker, this bird is not related to true curlews. Instead, it is a nocturnal hunter that thrives in arid landscapes, using its specialized vision to navigate the darkness.

The stone-curlew, also known as the thick-knee or dikkop, belongs to the family Burhinidae, a group of ten species found across tropical and temperate regions. The name Burhinus is derived from Ancient Greek terms for ox and nose, while the common name thick-knee refers to the prominent joints in their long, yellow or greenish legs. Interestingly, this anatomical description is technically inaccurate, as the joint in question is the ankle, not the knee. The name stone-curlew itself is merely a nod to the bird's broad resemblance and similar wailing calls to the true curlews of the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae.

These birds possess a striking, almost reptilian appearance, characterized by large yellow eyes that facilitate their largely nocturnal lifestyle. While they are classified as waders, they show a distinct preference for arid or semiarid environments, including farmland, heathland, and grassland. Their diet is primarily composed of insects and ground-dwelling invertebrates, though larger species have been known to consume small mammals and lizards. In the United Kingdom, the Eurasian stone-curlew is a rare summer visitor, protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which strictly prohibits the disturbance of these birds.

Molecular research has clarified the evolutionary position of the Burhinidae, placing them as a sister group to the sheathbills and the Magellanic plover. The fossil record provides further context, with the earliest definitive ancestor, Genucrassum bransatensis, dating back to the Late Oligocene of France. While other fossils like Wilaru were once considered members of this family, subsequent analysis suggests they belong to the extinct Presbyornithidae. Today, these birds remain a subject of fascination, with their cryptic plumage and haunting nocturnal songs serving as a reminder of the complex, often misunderstood diversity within the avian world.

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