Bird Guide

Bush Stone-curlew vs Water Thick-knee

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
Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus)

Water Thick-knee

Burhinus vermiculatus

Large320 gWetland

The water thick-knee is 38 to 41 cm (15–16 in) and weighs 293–320 g (10.3–11.3 oz). It has a heavy bill that is black with some pale yellow from the nostril to the base. The wings are broad and blunt and the tail is short. Its legs are pale greenish yellow, and the iris colour greenish yellow with black tracing.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Wynand Uys · CC BY 4.0

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