Bush Stone-curlew (pair)

Description:

The bush stone-curlew, aka bush thick-knee, is a large, slim, mainly nocturnal, ground-dwelling bird that's endemic to Australia. Although related to oystercatchers, avocets and plovers, this is a terrestrial predator filling an ecological niche similar to that of the roadrunners of North America. Curlews specialise in hunting small grassland animals - frogs, spiders, insects, molluscs, crustaceans, snakes, lizards and small mammals are all taken. Curlews also nest on the ground, and that makes them particularly vulnerable. This species is classified as endangered in NSW and Victoria. They range throughout most of Australia and were formerly quite common, but have declined in numbers through habitat loss and predation by foxes and feral cats. Other states are reasonably secure.

Habitat:

This species has a broad habitat preference, and can be found in open forest, eucalyptus woodland, rainforest edges, grassy plains, arid scrubland and along inland watercourses. They frequent open areas like golf courses and parkland as well. This spotting was at a large inner-city hopsital carpark, although there is a small park adjacent to the car park. I got the shock of my life when I got out of the car and these two birds were staring me down. They weren't frightened of me but did keep enough space between us to feel comfortable.

Notes:

Hear their amazing call. This is what I hear at night, and it's unnerving to anyone who doesn't know what it is - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZWHUU41...