Buruwagan | Bush Stone-curlew

Scientific name: Burhinus grallarius

Common names: Bush Stone-curlew, Bush Thick-knee, Willaroo, Weeloo, Angelbird

Status: Endangered in NSW

Buruwagan - Bush Stone Curlew factsheet(PDF, 73KB)

Often heard at night, the bird’s distinctive call has been described as akin to the call of a screaming woman or baby. In many Australian Aboriginal cultures Bush Stone-curlews have close associations with death and features in many Aboriginal stories across Australia.

Bush Stone-curlews are residents of the Tweed’s coastal villages including Fingal, Kingscliff, Chinderah, Hastings Point and Pottsville. They commonly nest in highly modified open areas such as public recreation areas, caravan parks, car parks and private yards, perhaps in an effort to improve predator visibility. In many cases the same nesting sites are re-used in successive years but unfortunately, very few young birds survive to adulthood. Nesting birds, their eggs and chicks are especially vulnerable to predation by foxes, cats and dogs.

Bush Stone-curlews feed and are active at night. During the day they rest and blend in with their surroundings by squatting on their feet, head out and legs stretched forward under the body. lf disturbed, rather than fly off they prefer to crouch or stalk away stealthily and then freeze, making them particularly vulnerable to predators.

The Bush Stone-curlew is also under threat from habitat clearance, residential development, and road strike by motor vehicles.