Burhinus is a genus of birds in the family Burhinidae. This family also contains the genera Esacus and Hesperoburhinus. The genus name Burhinus comes from the Greek bous, ox, and rhis, nose.
The species of Burhinus are commonly called stone-curlew, thick-knee, or dikkop. They are medium-sized, terrestrial waders, though they are generally found in semi-arid to arid, open areas. Only some species of Burhinus are associated with water. The genus ranges from 32 cm to 59 cm in size. Burhinus are characterised by their long legs, long wings and cryptic plumage. Most species have a short, thick, strong bill, to which the generic name alludes. The stone-curlews are found all over the world except Antarctica. They are mainly tropical, with the greatest diversity in the Old World.
Taxonomy and systematics
Spotted thick-knee
The genus Burhinus was erected by the German zoologist Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger in 1811 with the bush stone-curlew as the type species. The name combines the Ancient Greek bous meaning "ox" and rhis, rhinos meaning "nose" (or "bill").
Determining the correct placement of this family can be difficult as they are very ancient species. Burhinus are best placed in Charadriiformes. They resemble bustards (family: Otididae) and have been previously classified with them in Gruiformes. Their placement in Gruiformes is considered convergent evolution, as both orders have the same lifestyle and biotopes. Comparisons made of skeleton, biochemistry and parasites plus down on young, confirm Burhinus as a charadriiform.
Based on multi-locus analysis, the stone-curlew family (Burhinidae) is probably closest to the family Charadriidae, not Scolopacidae. The optimal maximum likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction using multi-locus (ADH5, GPD3-5 and FGB-7) analysis placed Burhinus within Charadrii, sister to Scolopaci. They have some similarities to Glareolidae and some phylogenies do place them as a sister clade to this family. however this is also considered convergent...
