Bush Stone-curlew
Calls & Sounds

The Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius) is a distinctive ground-dwelling bird found across much of the Australian mainland. It is most common in coastal regions of the tropical north and has become quite scarce in the southern parts of its range. This species is also known as the Bush Thick-knee.

What does a Bush Stone-curlew sound like? Bush Stone-curlews make distinctive plaintive wailing calls. They often call at night and their lovely mournful cries are an iconic night sound in parts of the tropical north of Australia. They sometimes sing a more intense version of their wailing as a duet with a second bird which can escalate into a manic screaming match! Bush Stone-curlews also make rapid piping notes, as well as a drawn-out raspy screech when they feel threatened.

Listen to some examples of Bush Stone-curlew sounds below.