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.
