Planning a trip to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
When to see Spotted Thick-knee in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Spotted Thick-knee are most active at night (19:00 to 05:00). Much of their activity falls outside gate hours, so the first drive after the gates open and the last hour before they close give you the best chance.
This is Spotted Thick-knee's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
Where to look for Spotted Thick-knee in Rietvlei Nature Reserve: best roads
Drive
Acacia Route, Vleiroete Road and Main Road run through open grassland: good country for Spotted Thick-knee.
- Acacia Route7.4 km · open grassland
- Vleiroete Road5.7 km · open grassland
- Main Road4.6 km · open grassland
Picked from habitat, not from sightings. opspoor shows where Spotted Thick-knee have actually been seen recently.
About the Spotted Thick-knee
The spotted thick-knee is a large-eyed, ground-dwelling bird of African grasslands, savanna, shrubland and semi-arid habitats. Its brown, black and white plumage provides excellent camouflage during the day. It is mainly nocturnal and forages on foot, feeding primarily on insects and other invertebrates but also taking small reptiles, amphibians and other small prey. It is often detected by its distinctive calls rather than by sight.
How to identify the Spotted Thick-knee
Large ground-dwelling bird with a disproportionately large rounded head, huge yellow eyes, stout bill, long yellow legs and brown-and-white speckled camouflage. Most active around dusk and at night.
Other species to look for in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Other parks where you can see Spotted Thick-knee
Heading to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? opspoor shows where Spotted Thick-knee have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.