Bush Stone-Curlew

The Bush Stone-curlew is a distinctive ground-dwelling Australian bird, instantly recognisable by its long legs, mottled brown-and-cream plumage and large yellow eyes.

Mostly active at night, it is famous for its eerie, wailing call, often heard after dark in open woodland, grassland and suburban bushland. Despite its fragile, watchful appearance, it is well camouflaged and usually freezes when threatened, blending almost perfectly into dry leaves and scrub.