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Bush Stone-curlew


Bush Stone-curlew
Photo Information
Copyright: Toni Alvarez (Toni) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 403 W: 2 N: 316] (2034)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-06
Categories: Birds
Camera: KonicaMinolta Dynax7D, minolta 80-200 G APO
Exposure: f/4, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-11-13 13:39
Viewed: 1610
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Bush Stone-curlew

Burhinus grallarius
Description
The Bush Stone-curlew, or Bush Thick-knee, is a large (52 to 58 cm), slim, mainly nocturnal, ground-dwelling bird. It is mostly grey-brown above, streaked with black and rufous. It is whitish below with clear, vertical black streaks. The bill is small and black, and the eye is large and yellow, with a prominent white eyebrow. Both sexes are similar. The voice is a characteristic drawn-out, mournful "wer-loooo", often heard at dusk and during the night.
Young Bush Stone-curlews are similar in appearance to the adults, but are paler, and a little browner in colour.
The Bush Stone-curlew is quite an unusual looking bird, and unlike any other bird found in Australia. The related Beach Stone-curlew, Esacus neglectus, has a much larger bill and more boldly marked face, and has little or no black streaking on the body.
Distribution and Habitat
The range of the Bush Stone-curlew extends throughout Australia. It was formerly quite common, but has declined in numbers through loss of habitat and predation by foxes and feral cats. Today it is more abundant in the north, but can be found in open wooded country, scrubs, golf courses, and even cemeteries. When sighted, a bird will normally crouch down or stand perfectly still and rely on the plumage pattern to disguise it. If approached, it will tend to walk away rather than fly (especially during the day).
Food and feeding
Bush Stone-curlews have a wide-ranging diet, but prefer to feed on insects, molluscs, small lizards, seeds and occasionally small mammals. Feeding takes place at night. During the breeding season, nesting birds will search for food in the vicinity of the nest site, while at other times, birds may travel large distances. All food is taken from the ground.
Breeding
Bush Stone-curlews have a remarkable courtship dance. Individuals stand with their wings outstretched, their tail upright and their neck stretched slightly forward. The birds will stamp their feet up and down, like a soldier marking time. This courtship ritual is repeated for an hour or more at a time and is accompanied by loud and constant calling. The breeding season extends from July to January. One to three eggs are laid in a shallow scrape in the ground and both adults share the incubation and care for the young. The chicks are dependent on their parents for 40 to 50 days.
References
• Pizzey, G. & Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
• Pringle, J.D. 1987. The Shorebirds of Australia. Angus and Robertson and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
• Schodde, R. & Tideman, S.C. (eds) 1990. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition). Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney.
coasties, Circe, mjdundee, dew77, extramundi, wallhalla15, marhowie, glazzaro, livios, cecilia, cedryk, Fisher, Janice, Luc, Athila has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Callie: D200Toni 2 01-17 23:02
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Toni,
Great posing and fantastic portrait of this pretty bird. Very comprehensive note and perfect photographic wskills. TFS. Thomas

Hi Toni,
The pose and POv are very good. Nice colours too.
IMO the DOF is a bit short.
Good and informative note.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2005-11-13 14:00]

hello Toni,
What a look! Impressive shot...I liked the eye contact.TFS:)

Hola Toni, lo que mas me gusta de esta foto es la sensación de tranquilidad del ave, parece estar orgullosa de posar en tu foto. El cuello se escapa un poco de foco, pero la claridad de la cara atrae la atención. Buen trabajo.

Excellent portrait shot Toni. Great sharpness and POV, well captured too. Thanks for sharing.

Nice composition, the background colours are perfectly in balance. Its complete with the detailed background information
Reina

Excellent close profile shot Toni. The eye is very clear and sharp here. Perfect light & color. I agree with Gret that a bit more DOF would make this one even better. Well done!
Thank You

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11878)
  • [2005-11-13 16:59]

Beau portrait,la netteté et les détails sont excellents.

Félicitations et merci pour l'envoie Toni.

Nice close up, superb detail in the eye, well done.

Greg

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2306 W: 324 N: 4306] (16856)
  • [2005-11-13 18:12]

Toni, if I'm not mistaken, I can see the sky in its eye - that's great.

Excellent portrait. Great colors, sharpness, composition and pov. I like bg too.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3072 W: 232 N: 5866] (19726)
  • [2005-11-13 23:30]

Great close-up of this curlew. A new bird for me. Wonderful eye contact, sharp details and excellent light. Well done and TFS. : )

Such a great detail on the eye,fantastic shot....
Cesie

  • Great 
  • Circe Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 54 W: 4 N: 22] (86)
  • [2005-11-14 4:02]

Interesante retrato, has capturado un bonito momento y lo has acompañado de una completa e instructiva nota.

Hello Toni

Sorry for the quick critique. Running out of time tonight. Lovely shot. Well composed. Very good colours, sharpness and detail. Well done. Thanks.

  • Great 
  • Midi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 156 W: 27 N: 184] (2417)
  • [2005-11-14 8:48]

Quel magnifique portrait de cet oiseau inconnu sous nos cieux. Bravo, belles couleurs et excellente netteté.

Nice shot of a bird I have never seen. The eye is superb. Thanks for sharing.

Great portrait, Toni. This bird has incedible sight. We have another species in Poland - Burhinus oedicnemus, which is a very rare species. It has large bright yellow eyes. I have seen it once in nature, a great experience.
Best greetings and TFS! Michal

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-11-15 18:25]

Hi Toni,

Beautiful capture and well done on this portrait. Excellent details.

Mike

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3452 W: 144 N: 5902] (17486)
  • [2005-12-04 21:37]

What startling eyes this one has Toni. Splendid portrait with nice colors and sharpness. What an amazing bird !! Very well done. TFS

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2058 W: 315 N: 4404] (14713)
  • [2005-12-07 23:20]

Appréciation personnelle pour la photo: très bonne.
Pouvoir d'évocation en moi: fort.
Très bon impact visuel.
Pertinence de la photo pour le site: excellente.
Appréciation personnelle pour la note: complète.
Merci Toni.

Toni
VERY NICE Strange, the white eye - ours are yellow. Also, they are now callled thickknees to be in line with the rest of the world. LOve the selective dof, TFS

  • Great 
  • Athila Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 310 W: 238 N: 421] (1503)
  • [2006-01-17 13:11]

Bonjour Toni!

Très bon portrait de cet oiseau. Ls netteté est impécable, l'exposition très exacte et la faible PDC fait bien ressortir l'oiseau du fond. Tant qu'au flash d'appoint il est très discret tout en donnant un petit point lumineux plein de vie dans son oeil.
Très bon travail et merci de partager tes images.
Alain

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