Bush Stone-curlew

Burhinus grallarius

Bush Stone Curlew, Credit: Shirley Hitschmann

Bird Description:

At first glance, the Bush Stone-curlew looks like it belongs in a prehistoric painting—long-legged, big-eyed, and eerily still. These birds are ground-dwellers, often seen standing statue-still in open grassy areas or even people’s backyards, blending perfectly with their surroundings.

They’re mostly active at night, when their haunting, wailing calls echo through the bush. Don’t worry—they’re not ghosts, just curlews having a chat (or a dramatic argument).

Special features:

Incredible camouflage: Their grey-brown streaked feathers blend in perfectly with leaf litter, sandy soil, and grassy patches.

Big, haunting eyes: Adapted for seeing at night, their intense stare is unforgettable.

Ground-nesters: They don’t build a nest—just lay their eggs directly on the ground.

Unusual call: Their mournful, wailing cry is one of the most iconic night sounds in the Australian bush.

Did you know?:

One local tale goes that a pair of curlews nested right in the middle of a community park garden bed—barely a metre from a walking track. Despite daily foot traffic and curious onlookers, the curlews didn’t budge, standing tall and proud as if daring anyone to come closer. Locals gave them nicknames and left them alone, and sure enough, a few weeks later two fluffy chicks appeared, gangly and adorable, strutting around like they owned the place.

Bush Stone-curlews may look like ghosts of the bush, but they’re also surprisingly bold and loyal to their nesting sites—sometimes returning year after year.

View more information on this bird at Birdlife Australia: https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profiles/bush-stone-curlew/

Preferred Habitat:

Casuarinas (She-oaks) and Eucalypts with sparse undergrowth

Open grassy clearings with scattered trees

Coastal heathlands, farmland edges, and bush blocks

Native grasses, leaf litter, and bare patches of earth—perfect for nesting

Habitat: Forest, Grasslands, Urban