Bush Stone-curlew
Burhinus grallarius
- Class
- Bird
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 7,181
- Most observed in
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The bush stone-curlew or bush thick-knee (Burhinus grallarius, obsolete name Burhinus magnirostris) 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.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Bush stone-curlew”.