The Bush Stone-curlew or Bush Thick-knee (Burhinus grallarius) is a large ground-dwelling bird with a life span of up to 20 years.  The bush curlew is endemic to Australia and found in Brisbane, usually in parkland.  The curlew will adopt a rigid posture when it becomes aware of an observer, as this one did, poised amongst the roses in New Farm Park.

Curlews are terrestrial predators adapted to stalking slowly at night.  Their preferred habitat is open landscapes which give them good visibility at ground level where they search for invertebrates such as insects.  The grey-brown coloration is distinguished by dark streaks, its eyes are large and legs are long.  Both male and female care for two eggs laid on the bare ground, usually sited in a shaded position near a bush, stone wall or fallen branch.

Queensland Bush Stone-curlews are capable of flight but rely on the camouflage of their plumage to evade detection during the day. Domestic animals are their biggest threat. At night their call is an evocative and unforgettable sound, a sort of wailing cry which echoes across open ground.

The curlew candid camera (below) is memorable!

♥ Gretchen Bernet-Ward