Bird Guide

Bush Stone-curlew vs Eurasian Stone-curlew

Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius)

Bush Stone-curlew

Burhinus grallarius

Large648 gWoodland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) · CC BY 3.0
Eurasian Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)

Eurasian Stone-curlew

Burhinus oedicnemus

Large459 gGrassland

The Eurasian stone-curlew is a fairly large wader, though mid-sized by the standards of its family. Length ranges from 38 to 46 cm (15 to 18 in), wingspan from 76 to 88 cm (30 to 35 in) and weight from 290 to 535 g (10.2 to 18.9 oz). with a strong yellow and black beak, large yellow eyes (which give it a "reptilian", or "goggle-eyed" appearance), and cryptic plumage. The bird is striking in flight, with black and white wing markings.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Eurasian Stone-curlew
Recorded by Philippe_Grange · Nocturnal flight call · Arrondissement de la Roche-sur-Yon (near La Roche-sur-Yon), Vendée, Pays de la Loire, France · CC0
Photo: Frank Vassen from Brussels, Belgium · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Bush Stone-curlew and Eurasian Stone-curlew.