Bush Stone Curlew #3

Bush Stone Curlew #3

Bush Stone-curlew

The Bush Stone-curlew, or Bush Thick-knee, is a large (52 to 58 cm), slim, mainly nocturnal, ground-dwelling bird. It is mostly grey-brown above, streaked with black and rufous. It is whitish below with clear, vertical black streaks. The bill is small and black, and the eye is large and yellow, with a prominent white eyebrow. Both sexes are similar. The voice is a characteristic drawn-out, mournful “wer-loooo”, often heard at dusk and during the night.

Young Bush Stone-curlews are similar in appearance to the adults, but are paler, and a little browner in colour.

The Bush Stone-curlew is quite an unusual looking bird, and unlike any other bird found in Australia. The related Beach Stone-curlew, Esacus neglectus, has a much larger bill and more boldly marked face, and has little or no black streaking on the body.

Distribution and Habitat
The range of the Bush Stone-curlew extends throughout Australia. It was formerly quite common, but has declined in numbers through loss of habitat and predation by foxes and feral cats. Today it is more abundant in the north, but can be found in open wooded country, scrubs, golf courses, and even cemeteries. When sighted, a bird will normally crouch down or stand perfectly still and rely on the plumage pattern to disguise it. If approached, it will tend to walk away rather than fly (especially during the day).

Info:www.austmus.gov.au/factsheets/curlew

Bush Stone Curlew #3 belongs to the following groups:

Birds and Creatures of Flight and The Birds Available for sale as

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