Stone Curlew
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Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Burhinidae

[Photo] Eurasian Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) near Tamri, Morocco, 17 April 2006. Photo by MPF. URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Burhinus_oedicnemus0.jpg

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The Stone Curlew or Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (Arabic karawan ??????????) is the northern representative of the Stone-curlews, waders in the family Burhinidae.

They are medium-large waders with strong black and yellow black bills, large yellow eyes, which give them a "reptilian" appearance, and cryptic plumage. The scientific name refers to the prominent joints in the long yellow or greenish legs.

It 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. They are largely nocturnal, particularly when singing their loud wailing songs, which are reminiscent of Curlews.

Food is insects and other invertebrates. It will also take lizards. It lays 2-3 eggs on the ground.

The Stone Curlew occurs in southern Europe, north Africa and southwestern Asia. It is a summer migrant in the temperate European and Asian parts of its range, wintering in Africa.

In Egypt, the melodic song of the Stone Curlew is heard at night, and the bird is almost never seen. Its song is featured in poetry, songs, and movies such as Song of the Stone Curlew.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Curlew

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