Bush Stone Curlew, Alice Springs, Australia

by Venetia Featherstone-Witty

Title

Bush Stone Curlew, Alice Springs, Australia

Artist

Venetia Featherstone-Witty

Medium

Photograph - Photographs

Description

The bush stone-curlew or bush thick-knee (Burhinus grallarius, obsolete name Burhinus magnirostris) is a large ground-dwelling bird endemic to Australia. The favoured habitat is open plains and woodlands, where they stalk slowly at night in search of invertebrates such as insects. The grey-brown coloration is distinguished by dark streaks, its eyes are large and legs are long. They are capable of flight, but rely on the camouflage of their plumage to evade detection during the day; the bush curlew will adopt 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.
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. Several individuals may join their voices in chorus, greatly intensifying the extraordinary quality of their nocturnal calling.
FEATURED 9/10/21 in "Birds I Australia"
FEATURED 9/13/21 in "Beautiful Birds"
FEATURED 9/13/21 in "Macro Marvels"
FEATURED 9/13/21 in "Animal Photographs"
FEATURED 9/16/21 in "Lady Photographers"
FEATURED 9/15/21 in "Out of the Ordinary"
FEATURED 9/18/21 in "FAA Portraits, Birds"
SECOND PLACE in "Knots and Curlews Contest" in Birds in Australia
FEATURED in 9/21/21 in "New FAA Uploads"
FEATURED 10/11/21 in "Wildlife One A Day"
FEATURED 11/10/21 in "Your Very Best Photography"
FEATURED 12/5/21 in "A Birding Group Wings"
FEATURED 1/19/22 in "ABC Group - U is for Umber"

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September 10th, 2021

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