If you’re a bird that prefers staying on the ground to perching in a tree, you’d best be prepared to defend your turf. In this footage, a thick-knee successfully diverts an unwelcome intruder.
Wernern Nagel submitted this interesting footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed the encounter while visiting South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park.
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Ground-dwelling bird
While driving along on his game drive, Wernern’s attention was caught by some unusual behaviour. As he got closer, he found a bird standing on the ground with its wings spread.
The bird in question was a spotted thick-knee (Burhinus capensis). These ground-dwelling birds are found in savanna habitats across sub-Saharan Africa.
Intruder alert
When they feel threatened, thick-knees flare their wings in an effort to intimidate the intruder. And, when he spotted a snake crawling nearby, Wernern realised that the bird may be defending its nest.
The snake in question is a puff adder (Bitis arietans). These highly venomous reptiles are also a ground-dwelling species.
Cryptic markings
You’ll note another similarity between the bird and the snake. Both have cryptic markings that serve as camouflage.
As you can imagine, camouflage is crucial when you live out in the open, whether you’re a predator or potential prey.
Word spreads
Subsequently, another ground-dwelling bird arrived to investigate the thick-knees’ alarm posture. This black-and-white bird is known as a blacksmith lapwing.
Subsequently, both birds keep a close eye on the snake as it slithers along the ground. At the same time, they are careful to stay out of the snake’s striking range.
And, for good reason, as puff adders are one of the world’s fastest strikers, able to reach one-third of their body length in all directions. A single bite is sufficient to kill a man if left untreated.
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Aloof adder
For some reason, the lapwing isn’t as alarmed as the other bird, possibly because it doesn’t have a nest nearby. Even so, it watches closely while the thick-knee continues harassing the snake.
As for the snake, it seems completely unfazed by the birds’ attention. Had it felt threatened, it would no doubt have assumed a defensive “S-shaped” posture.
This way, please
While the bird does not attempt to attack the snake, it does seem to be trying to direct its movements. As we watch, the bird moves into the snake’s path, causing it to change directions.
In the above image, you’ll note the snake’s tongue is visible. By flicking their tongues, snakes effectively “taste” the air, helping them navigate and detect both prey and potential mates.
By contrast, the bird’s primary sense is its eyesight. Note the thick-knee’s large eye, which not only ensures acute vision but also ensures it can see well in the dark.
Both the bird and the snake are most active at night. Thick-knee actively seeks out insects, rodents, and small reptiles. By contrast, the puff adder is an ambush hunter that relies on its camouflage to hide itself until suitable prey comes within range.
Wernern’s video ends as the snake turns to avoid the agitated bird, so we’re not sure if it was in fact protecting a nesting site. Nonetheless, it was fascinating to see the interaction.