Bush Stone-curlew
Burhinus grallarius
The Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius) is a uncommon thick-knees and stone-curlew found in 2 countries, weighing about 648 g. The bush stone-curlew or bush thick-knee is a large, ground-dwelling bird endemic to Australia.
About the Bush Stone-curlew
The bush stone-curlew or bush thick-knee is a large, ground-dwelling bird endemic to Australia. Its favoured habitat is open plains and woodlands, where it stalks slowly at night in search of invertebrates such as insects. Its grey-brown coloration is distinguished by dark streaks, its eyes are large and legs are long. It is capable of flight, but relies on the camouflage of its plumage to evade detection during the day; the bush curlew adopts a rigid posture when it becomes aware of an observer. Both sexes care for two eggs laid on the bare ground, usually sited near bush in a shaded position or next to a fallen branch.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
A species of Burhinus, a genus of large-eyed and long-legged terrestrial foragers known as thick-knees, it is slender in form and a grey and brown colour with distinctive markings. The bird has conspicuous dark streaks over the buff and greyish white feathers of the upperparts and spotted markings on the wings. The plumage at lower side of the bird is also strongly streaked with dark brown over white and buff feathers. The total length of the species, including a bill around 45 mm and tail 180 mm, is 550 mm; the wingspan approaches 1 m across. Voice: This stone-curlew's voice is loud and can be heard at a great distance. The call of "weeloo" has an eerie and plaintive tone and is a familiar sound of the night in the Australian bush. The frequency of calls increases when weather conditions are changing, especially when rain is approaching an area.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Papua New Guinea.
When to see it
The Bush Stone-curlew can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Bush Stone-curlew?
- A species of Burhinus, a genus of large-eyed and long-legged terrestrial foragers known as thick-knees, it is slender in form and a grey and brown colour with distinctive markings. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Bush Stone-curlew?
- The Bush Stone-curlew is a large sized bird weighing about 648 g.
- Where can you see a Bush Stone-curlew?
- The Bush Stone-curlew occurs in 2 countries, including Australia.
- What birds look similar to a Bush Stone-curlew?
- The Bush Stone-curlew is most easily confused with the Water Thick-knee, the Indian Stone-curlew and the Spotted Thick-knee.
- Is the Bush Stone-curlew endangered?
- The Bush Stone-curlew is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Bush Stone-curlew for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.