Burhinus grallarius
The Bush Stone-curlew, also widely known as the Bush Thick-knee, is a large, terrestrial bird measuring approximately 54-59 cm (21-23 inches) in length with a wingspan of 80-100 cm (31-39 inches) and weighing 670-1100 g (1.5-2.4 lbs). Its cryptic, streaked grey-brown upperparts and paler, cream-colored underparts provide exceptional camouflage against dry vegetation, while bold black and white wing stripes are only truly noticeable in flight. Distinctive field marks include its strikingly lar...
Found primarily in open dry woodlands, grassy plains, savannahs, and increasingly in urban parks, golf courses, and agricultural lands, typically at low elevations.
Their diet consists mainly of nocturnal invertebrates such as insects, spiders, scorpions, and crustaceans, supplemented by small vertebrates including frogs, lizards, snakes, and rodents, all primarily caught by ground-gleaning and pouncing.
Bush Stone-curlews are largely nocturnal and crepuscular, spending their days camouflaged and motionless on the ground, often in the shade of a tree or shrub. They forage by slowly stalking and pouncing on prey, using their keen eyesight and hearing. These birds are strongly territorial, with bre...
The Bush Stone-curlew has a widespread distribution across Australia, inhabiting suitable areas on the mainland and Tasmania, though it is largely absent from the arid interior desert regions. Its range extends north into the lowlands of southern New Guinea, including the Aru Islands, Kai Islands...
Least Concern
- Despite belonging to the 'shorebird' order Charadriiformes, they are one of the most terrestrial birds in Australia, rarely seen near water. - Their mournful, wailing calls are often described as eerie or ghost-like, and can be mistaken for human screams in the night. - They possess unusually l...