While out shopping the other day I spotted a curlew in the car park.
He was a beautiful fellow, all by himself. He seemed unhurt, but was looking at his reflection in shiny cars and shop windows.
He or she was a bush stone-curlew, quite common, apparently, in Brisbane, but I have never seen one up close before. They seem able to make a home in the city. They are ground dwelling birds, mainly nocturnal and hunt frogs, spiders, insects and lizards. They like to forage on moonlit nights.
They look a bit ungainly with their long skinny legs, but they are sure footed and agile. They can fly, and do so mainly at night.
I wonder what the car park bird was up to…perhaps looking for his mate, which might explain why he was looking at his reflection.
Curlews make a loud wailing noise, but when distressed they emit a loud hiss, which is what this fellow was doing.
The bird was in the car park most of the day, but has not been seen since. I hope he found what he was looking for.
He’s so cute! We were in the Northern Territory last month and fell in love with Neil, the bush stone-curlew at the Wildlife Park, he stole the show 🙂 They certainly sound eerie in the bush at night.
By: Kathy on July 28, 2015
at 5:33 am
They have an amazing call. This is as close as I have ever been to one. I thought it was gorgoeus.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 8:33 am
He or she is just beautiful. Its good news when wild life adapta to living in suburbia.
By: Kirsi Säde on July 28, 2015
at 5:34 am
It was a very handsome bird. I hope it found its way home.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 8:34 am
In Europe it is common to see the Eurasian curlew. I can always spot one on the river at dusk http://www.sapere.it/sapere/approfondimenti/animali/uccelli/chiurlo-maggiore.html
But they have a longer bill. Quite handy for fishing. And the same long, skinny legs…
By: Mulino Dominillo on July 28, 2015
at 5:47 am
I have seen photos of the ones with long beaks. These probably don’t need that because they are ground feeders.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 8:35 am
They have such nice plumage! The cry of the curlew has jolted me out of many a deep sleep at night.
By: Yvonne on July 28, 2015
at 5:53 am
It is a weird sound and I imagine it could sound scary on a dark night,
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 8:35 am
I hope he/she found their mate
By: Lyn on July 28, 2015
at 6:51 am
Me too!
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 8:36 am
That bird is beautiful. I am entranced by his eyes. What a beautiful shape. Sometimes, particularly when standing straight up, he looks sort of comical…like a gentleman, or a little wooden statue. I would have taken lots of pictures too. So sweet.
By: The Daily Cure on July 28, 2015
at 7:49 am
I found him fascinating. He must be used to people, he let me get quite close.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 8:37 am
Yes it was fasinating to watch that magnificent curlew that day.So elegant with such lovely markings and yes we believe he/she was looking for the mate- loved how it admired itself in the art gallery windows on James Street.,
By: Dianne CANT on July 28, 2015
at 8:10 am
I think he thought it was his mate in the window.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 8:37 am
He is a beautiful bird, looks even prettier standing on the pebbles. To me it feels its beauty is enhanced by the pebbles.
By: ranu802 on July 28, 2015
at 8:59 am
He is much the same colour as the pebbles
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 12:03 pm
They are such beautiful and vulnerable looking birds. I love the Curlew’s call. There are quite a lot of stone Curlew’s on Coochi Mudlo Island and if you spot one during the day they do stand as still as a stone statue, they’re normally quite well camouflaged in the bush. Great photos. Poor thing was obviously looking for love.
By: Jan on July 28, 2015
at 10:05 am
He was definitely looking for something. I hope he found it.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 12:04 pm
The bird was very patient with you.
By: aFrankAngle on July 28, 2015
at 10:19 am
He was in no hurry to get away, but he didn’t want me too close.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 12:05 pm
What a beautiful bird. And such beautiful photos of it.
By: Tuxedo Sophisticated Cat on July 28, 2015
at 2:32 pm
Thank you, it was a lovely bird.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2015
at 9:52 pm
Never saw a curlew in Brisbane. Must have gone about with my head in the clouds
By: Mallee Stanley on July 28, 2015
at 11:21 pm
I have only ever seen one from a distance beside the river, never this close.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 29, 2015
at 6:24 am
Deborah, what stunningly beautiful photography! Every feather crisp and clear! How close did he/she let you get and what lens were you using? Lovely work and a lovely subject!
By: Rob Mc Artor on July 29, 2015
at 1:34 am
I stayed a few metres away as I didn’t want to frighten the bird. I use a fixed lens Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ200. Thank you for the kind comments. I thought I was very lucky to have come across the bird.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 29, 2015
at 6:26 am
I saw a family of Curlews on my driveway in Spring Hill at dawn one morning. This is the first time I have seen them away from the bay islands, they are prolific there. In the middle of the night the call they make is haunting.
By: Sandra Robbins on July 29, 2015
at 3:21 am
I have not seen one this close before…gorgeous bird.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 29, 2015
at 6:26 am
What a handsome fellow!
By: janinevasta on July 29, 2015
at 12:40 pm
Wonderful shots, Debra. He’s really comical. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on July 29, 2015
at 1:22 pm
What a handsome bird! I wonder if this is a juvenile.
Interestingly, curlews in North America have a very long, curved bill and they are mainly wading birds.
By: Jackie Cangro on July 29, 2015
at 4:08 pm
Bush stone-curlews are such beautiful birds. Love hearing their haunting cry at night. Hope this little one found their way home!
By: Zoë Boccabella on July 30, 2015
at 12:21 am
It always amazes me how birds can stand on those skinny legs!
By: Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella on July 30, 2015
at 1:48 am
One of these birds attacked my bus last night, I stopped because I was afraid I hit it, I then saw another one attacking moving cars that were driving pass,it was like they were trying to commit suicide, I walked onto the road and they both attacked me. I then saw their dead baby bird on the road so that explained the situation, So I removed the baby bird in hope they will stop attacking the cars, I felt very sorry for them,
By: blades41@hotmail.com on September 26, 2015
at 4:48 pm
What a horrible experience, poor birds.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 26, 2015
at 10:01 pm