Bush Stone-curlew

Bush Stone-curlew, Burhinus grallarius

The Bush Stone-curlew, sometimes called the Bush Thick-knee, is certainly one of the oddest and most unique birds of Australia. They can stand up to 60cm tall on gangly legs and knobbly knees, with large yellow eyes and facial feathering that seems to give them a permanent look of sadness. With a nocturnal call comparable to a screaming baby or women, it is understandable why the Australian Aboriginal cultures weave many stories around these birds, and often associate it with death. Foraging occurs during the evening and night time hours, feeding on a host of motley items from insects to seeds, molluscs to small animals. The range extends throughout most of Australia, but the conservation status varies from vulnerable to endangered. Some states have conservation efforts currently active before the population declines more, encouraging landholders to control predators better specifically feral cats and foxes. When threatened or disturbed, the bush stone-curlew will either freeze, crouch down, or both.

The campus had plenty of these around, and unlike many places they were not hard to observe during the day. The call certainly takes awhile to get use to, and caused me to wake up multiple times. I even watch one walk right up and under the balcony, call for a minute, then walk off hunting for food as if nothing happened. Definitely one of my favorite birds even if it was a love-hate relationship.