The Great Thick-Knee or Great Stone-Curlew (Esacus recurvirostris) is a large wader which is a resident breeder in tropical southern Asia. It is a widespread species in India - but it distribution is rather patchy.
It is described (accurately) as an 'odd-looking wader with a dark mask, staring pale eyes, and a large heavy bill'. I don't really recall seeing individuals of this species doing anything but standing still by bodies of water looking rather judgementally at us birders.
This species is about 49–55 cm size, with a chunky 7cm bill. The lower section of its beak takes a sharp angle at the end, giving the whole beak an upturned appearance.
This species is very closely related to the Australia Beach Thick-Knee (or Beach Stone-Curlew) which is a species I have not seen in many years.
The first of these pictures were take in pre-dawn light, and I rather more soft than I would like. But there you go.
As ever, to join in with WBW click on the link below. Cheers SM
They have such striking eyes and a unique appearance. Beautiful photos!
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