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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Burhinus oedicnemus
Eurasian thick-knee. Greek: πετροτουρλίδα. Gadouras river-mouth lagoon, May 2002.
Breeding migrant, uncommon. Small colonies on eastern coast. Mid-April to September. Length 40-45 cm, wingspan 75-90 cm. Sexes similar. Open areas with shingle and sparse vegetation near rivers, reservoirs, seashore. Primarily nocturnal feeder. Takes mainly insects and worms, but also small rodents and reptiles. In daylight relies on hiding tactics: squats motionless to use good camouflage, reluctant to fly, runs if danger not imminent. Nests on ground in open largely bare rocky areas, usually more than one brood per season. Loud wailing call.
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