Appearance:

Unmistakeable in all of WP except for Egypt where Senegal Thick-knee occurs. Differs from said species by more yellow on bill and only narrow white band on coverts framed in black (less prominent in immatures). Mostly nocturnal and easily overlooked at daytime when resting. Runs for cover with hunched posture if disturbed. Easily identified in flight by dark wing with white window, long tail and trailing toes. Betrays it's presence at dusk when groups of birds often starts calling and moving about.

Sound:

Very vocal at twilight with various wailing, curlew-like calls, undulating in crescendoes, often in joined choruses. Most typical call a cyclic "turrru-leeek", with rolling "r" and second part higher pitched (at end of sound file).

Two types of call:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-photo:Frank.Vassen, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Small, secretive bird, usually only heard and not seen. Buff under tail-coverts and zigzag-patterned wings are diagnostic, and separates it from all other small rails in the region except American migrant Sora. Stocky build, with speckled underparts and short yellow bill with red spot at upper base.

Sound:

Loud and far reaching song uttered with relentless stamina for hours on end. A monosyllabic, resonant and drawn-out "huiiit". The pith rises towards the emphasized end of the call, which is repeated about once a second. Often compared to the dripping of water. Mostly heard at night, and often i duet with mate. The female answers the male with a slightly deeper and softer call, giving the impression of one bird giving a disyllabic call.

Song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Sounds:Recorded by Edmunds Racinskis

CC-photo:ajmatthehiddenhouse, Licence,Link.