Mid-sized wader (approx 44 cm or 17.5 in) with cryptic colours. Brown earth plumage in general with lighter and darker bars; lighter and speckled belly. Big yellow eyes with clear eyebrow and lower stripe. Yellow bill with black tip. White wing band with black edges.
Cultivated areas
Dry and open habitats, steppes, wastelands, pastures and flat or little undulating areas with natural vegetation. It prefers absence of trees and low height grass vegetation.
Species resident in Malaga all year round. The Eurasian Thick-Knee breeds from April, making a single annual laying of 1 to 3 eggs and nests on the ground. It feeds on insects (ants, beetles, grasshoppers, etc.). Twilight and nocturnal habits.
It is a usual steppe bird but difficult to watch. It is present in stages 16, 17, 18 and 35 of the Great Path.
The vernacular name of this bird in Malaga is "alcarrí" or "alcarril", probably because of its tendency to walk on the "carriles" (Spanish word for "tracks"). At nightfall and dawn, when other birds are already asleep, it emits a very distinctive grievance or plaintive song.
- Campillos – Sierra de Yeguas
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 13. Archidona - Villanueva de Tapia
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 14. Villanueva de Tapia - Villanueva de Algaidas
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 16. Cuevas Bajas - Alameda
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 18. Fuente de Piedra - Campillos
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 35. Alhaurín de la Torre - Málaga
- Lagunas de Campillos
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