Charadriiformes

Thick-knees (Burhinidae)

HBW 3, p. 348 Learn more about the Handbook of the Birds of the World - Volume 3 on the Lynx Edicions website.

• Medium-sized terrestrial waders, with long legs, long wings and cryptic plumage; bill usually short, but large and heavy in some species.
• All regions except Antarctic, but mainly tropical; greatest diversity in Old World.
• Semi-arid to arid open areas, sometimes linked with water; one species strictly coastal.
• 2 genera, 9 species, 19 taxa.
• No species threatened; none extinct since 1600.