The shy great thick-knee (Esacus recurvirostris) – aka great stone-curlew – is named for the prominent joints in its long yellow or greenish legs. A large wader with a dark mask, staring pale eyes, and a large heavy bill, it is a resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh into South-east Asia. At breeding time, a single egg is laid in a bare scrape on the open shingle. It is mainly nocturnal or crepuscular like other stone-curlews, but can frequently be seen foraging during the day, moving slowly and deliberately, with occasional short runs.
See also: Stone curlew