A common resident found throughout Southern Africa and formally called the dikkop.
They are solitary birds, but when breeding, they pair up. They are otherwise gregarious in flocks of 40 to 50 birds. Largely crepuscular and nocturnal, but also active on cloudy days. During the day, they crouch or stand in the shade of a tree or bush.
Should it be disturbed it runs off with its head low, then hastens to fly with strong erratic wing beats. Holds its wings out briefly when landing after a short flight.
The thick knees like open grassland near trees or bushes, savanna, large lawns, playing fields, airfields, farmland, stony semi-desert with scrub and marine beaches. Food preference is insects, crustaceans, molluscs, grass seeds and frogs.
The call is a loud piping note, rising in pitch and volume, then dying away pi-pi-pi-pi peo peo-pi-pi-pee.
Breeding takes place from August to December. The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground sometimes lined or ringed with small stone, clods, dry plant fragments and antelope droppings. One to three pale cream eggs with blotches are laid.
Incubation is 24 days and fledgling for seven to eight weeks.
The Zulu name is umJenjana.
