Visitors to the island might be forgiven for missing a few hours’ sleep or being scared half to death whilst sitting out on the deck. The cause is an eerie wailing or screaming coming from the bush.  You needn’t worry, it is most likely one of our island’s Bush Stone-Curlews calling out.  Their scientific name is Burhinus grallarius but you might know them by their other names: Bush Thick-knee, Southern Stone-curlew, Southern Stone-plover, Weeloo, Willaroo, Angelbird and Scrub curlew. You’ll often hear them calling out at night, during breeding season, or before rain.  It is an unforgettable sound, and as one visitor found out after calling the police late one night to report someone being attacked, the call can sound like someone screaming.

You can hear their eerie call here: Curlew Call – Department of Environment and Heritage Protection 

Description

They’re a large nocturnal ground dwelling bird standing about 50 cm tall with a wingspan of 80-100 cm. They have a cryptic plumage that makes for excellent camouflage. You can often walk right past one and not see it as it plays statues or stretches itself out flat on the ground.  They prefer to hide from predators, using their distinctive colouring as camouflage. Whilst they may look ungainly they are sure-footed, fast and agile. They’re also pretty good flyers but prefer to spend their time on the ground.

Originally widespread throughout Australia except in arid or heavily forested regions, it is now close to extinct in many settled areas. Once seen around Sydney, the species is listed as endangered in NSW and VIC. Thankfully in Queensland it is listed as secure and considered common. They’re well loved on the island by the locals, and we often don’t even notice the screaming at night, much to the surprise of our guests.
We’ve had a family make our back garden their home this year. Its been fun watching the little one grow up.  See how the chick in the bottom right is using its cryptic plumage to hide among the leaf litter?

 

Breeding

Magnetic island’s curlews breed between July and February. Living for up to 30 years they tend to mate for life. Eggs are laid directly on the ground in an open area, often surrounded by small sticks or stones to keep an eye out for predators.  Usually there are one or two mottled grey-brown hen sized eggs.  3-4 weeks later the chicks will be born with each parent taking time to incubate the eggs. The parents eat the egg-shells and the chicks are move to a more protected area.

If you do come across a family with a chick you may well be presented with a threat display called ‘mantling’. The wings will go out, the tail up and you’ll get growled at.  It’s a pretty impressive display and quite disconcerting when you first see it.  I filmed this at the bottom of our property where this couple had taken up residence. The little chick was hidden on the right.  Our kids were too scared to head down the shed whilst they were there.

So if you you are on the island and hear a strange eerie call at night, don’t worry, its just the call of the Curlew.