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Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT

Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius)

Alice Springs Desert Park

ASDP Birds > Birds Index

The Bush Stone-curlew, also known as the Bush Thick-knee (that refers to the prominent, knobbly “knee” joints (actually ankles) on its long legs, is a ground-dwelling bird that is endemic to Australia. A large looking bird, It favours open plains and woodlands habitats. Whilst they can fly, they usually rely on their plumage camouflage, adopting a stationary posture (especially when in their nest on the ground) to evade detection during the day. The nest is often a sparse, usually near a bush (shading the nest), or next to a fallen branch on the ground. When nesting, both sexes will care for the two eggs.

They are about 55 centimetres tall, and are known for their long-distance, loud, eerie, wailing calls, often heard during the night.

Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT
Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Alice Springs Desert Park NT

  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Subphylum: Vertebrata
  • Informal: Gnathostomata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Charadriiformes
  • Family: Burhinidae
  • Genus: Burhinus
  • Subgenus: infrageneric Burhinus
  • Species: Burhinus grallarius

Footnote & References

  1. Bush stone-curlew, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_stone-curlew, (last visited Oct. 7, 2025)

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