DOUBLE-STRIPED THICK-KNEE Creative Commons License by Wikimedia Commons

Birds & Birding in Costa Rica: – Costa Rica’s national motto and tourism slogan, “La Pura Vida” loosely translates to Live Life or Enjoy Life. With over 900 bird species recorded in Costa Rica, there is certainly lots to enjoy! With 12 of the world’s 18 life zones, its diverse landscapes, including tropical rainforests, cloud forests, mangroves, and savannas, provide habitat for a wide range of iconic birds A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

BIRDS & BIRDING IN COSTA RICA WEBSITE LINK


DOUBLE-STRIPED THICK-KNEE(Species Account Blog #56)

TAXONOMIC TREE:  

  • ORDER: Charadriiformes,
  • FAMILY: Burhinidae,
  • BINOMIAL NAME: Hesperoburhinus bistriatus

The Double-striped Thick-knee is a medium-large wader with a strong black and yellow bill, large yellow eyes, which give it a reptilian appearance, and cryptic plumage. (from Birds of the World)

Although somewhat similar to plovers and other shorebirds, the Double-striped Thick-knee can be distinguished from these by its broad white superciliary and short, stout bill 

Double-striped Thick-knee Distribution Map (from Birds of the World)

This one, distant sighing was my personal “Lifer” near Salinas, Puntarenas. There was a single bird in a cattle pasture in the shade of a palm tree. I don’t know how our trip leaders saw it… I am hoping to get better photos on my next adventure there.


My best image of my “Lifer” near Salinas (Punta Leona), Puntarenas, Costa Rica

View the five most recent Birds & Birding in Costa Rica series blog posts below.

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ABOUT ME

Through my lens and prose I hope to instill a greater sense of awe, compassion and inspiration as I discover new creatures, explore interesting habitats, and gain wisdom about the natural world that’s all around us. It is my hope that readers are motivated to learn more about our environment and its inhabitants, and become passionate advocates for conservation.

I earned my college degree in biology, a foundation that shaped not only how I see the world, but how I’ve spent my life sharing it with others. For more than 35 years, I worked in education as both a teacher and administrator, guiding students through the wonders of science and the joy of discovery. That same spirit of curiosity has carried me through decades of volunteer work in citizen science and conservation. This blog brings together my passions for birding, conservation, and storytelling.

~ Jim Gain