Scientific name:Burhinus grallarius Conservation status in NSW: Endangered
Description
The Bush Stone-curlew stands about 55 cm tall. It has a grey to light brown back, marked with black blotches, and a streaked rump. It has buff and white underparts with dark streaks, and a black band that runs from near its eye down its neck. This species has large, bright yellow eyes and a hunch-shouldered stance on long spindly legs. When disturbed it lies flat on the ground, with its head and neck outstretched. Its call is a loud eerie wailing "wee-loo", mostly heard at night.
Location and habitat
Distribution The Bush Stone-curlew is found throughout Australia except for the central southern coast and inland, the far south-east corner, and Tasmania. Only in northern Australia is it still common however and in the south-east it is either rare or extinct throughout its former range.
Habitat and ecology
Inhabits open forests and woodlands with a sparse grassy groundlayer and fallen timber.
Largely nocturnal, being especially active on moonlit nights.
Feed on insects and small vertebrates, such as frogs, lizards and snakes.
Nest on the ground in a scrape or small bare patch.
Two eggs are laid in spring and early summer.
Regional information This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.
Clearance of woodland habitat for agricultural and residential development.
Modification and destruction of ground habitat through removal of litter and fallen timber, introduction of exotic pasture grasses, grazing and frequent fires.
Disturbance in the vicinity of nest sites.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 39 priority actions to help recover the Bush Stone-curlew in New South Wales.
What needs to be done to recover this species?
Keep domestic dogs and cats indoors at night. Desex domestic dogs and cats.
Undertake fox and feral cat control programs.
Assess the appropriateness of dog and cat ownership in new subdivisions.
Remove cattle from paddocks containing nesting areas at least during breeding season or while eggs and chicks are in nest.
Retain existing vegetation along roadsides, in paddocks and remnant stands of native trees.
Retain dead timber on the ground in open woodland areas.
Fence off suitable woodland habitats, particularly those with unimproved pasture and an intact native ground plant layer.
Fence off nesting sites.
Increase the size of existing remnants, planting trees and establishing buffer zones of unimproved uncultivated pasture around woodland remnants.
Assess the importance of the site to the species' survival. Include the linkages the site provides for the species between ecological resources across the broader landscape.
References
Garnett, S. and Crowley, G. M. (2000). The Action Plan for Australian Birds. Published by Environment Australia. Canberra, ACT.
Johnson G. and Baker-Gabb D.J. (1994). The Bush Thick-knee in Northern Victoria (part1): Conservation and Management. Arthur Rylah Institute Technical report No 129.
Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (Eds) (1993). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 2: Raptors to Lapwings. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Draft Recovery Plan for the Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius). NSW NPWS, Sydney.
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. (2003). The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia 7th Edition. Menkhorst, P. (ed). HarperCollins.
Robinson, D. and Traill, B. J. (1996). Conserving woodland birds in the wheat and sheep belts of southern Australia. RAOU Conservation Statement No. 10. Birds Australia, Melbourne.
this page
