About Esacus recurvirostris (Cuvier, 1829)
The great thick-knee, scientifically known as Esacus recurvirostris (Cuvier, 1829), is a large wader. It measures 49 to 55 cm in length, and has a massive 7 cm long bill. The lower mandible has a sharp angle that gives the bill an upturned appearance. Its upperparts and breast are grey-brown and unstreaked, while the rest of its underparts are whitish. The face has a distinct striking black and white pattern, and the bill is black with a yellow base. The eyes are bright yellow, and the legs are a duller greenish-yellow. When in flight, the great thick-knee displays black and white flight feathers on the upperwing, and a mainly white underwing. Male and female great thick-knees are similar in appearance, but young birds are slightly paler than adults.
