EURASIAN STONE-CURLEW

Order: Charadriiformes.
Family: Burhinidae.

40-44 cm.

77-85 cm.

The Stone Curlew cannot be confused with any other species on the Peninsula.

It is not possible to deduce the sex of this species based on its feathers.

It is possible to recognize 3 different ages:

Juvenile specimen: have new feathers without wear and tear. These individuals retain down feathers on their rectrices until September. The lesser coverts are longer and light sandy with a dark central stripe. Conversely, the greater coverts have a wide white band at the tip.

1st to 2nd year specimen: there is a big difference between the molted feathers (greater coverts) and the retained feathers of the juvenile plumage, although there are also cases where the individual has molted all the coverts. The flight feathers are at their highest level of wear and tear.

Adult specimen: usually have a different level of wear and tear on the primaries. On the other hand, the lesser coverts are longer, white and dark-striped at the tip. The greater coverts have a narrow white band with a dark spot at the tip.

Stone Curlew perform a complete post-nuptial molt over a very extensive period between April and October. Some individuals may retain flight feathers during the winter, in which case they would be replaced at the beginning of the next molt (March-April). On the other hand, the molt performed by juvenile individuals is a partial molt that includes body feathers, the central pair of rectrices, and frequently all or part of the lesser and median coverts. This post-juvenile molt usually ends in November.

Primaries: 10 per wing.
Secundaries: 19-21 per wing.
Rectrices: 12.