Bush Stone Curlew - Threat Display

Wandering up to the car on Friday arvo, I head a hiss just on the other side of the fence, and lo! it was the Bush Stone Curlew family. The chick was right next to the fence, sleeping, as was the hen (presumably), but the father put on a display to try to frighten me off, spreading his wings and doing the hiss/growl they do.

This shot was taken during a short movie I was shooting to show the kids what they sound like.

View all photos taken: Friday, 10th November 2006, This photo: 5:14pm

Previous Photo: Red Crate on Mary St
Next Photo: King Parrot

Comments

  • Maki_C30D said:
    it really looks defensive now..
    great capture!!
  • jacki-dee said:
    What long legs. This is a good action shot: that eye!
  • AlexandraPhotos said:
    These birds are beautiful. I really like the perspective of this shot.

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  • Clearskies Images said:
    Good capture David.
  • borealnz said:
    Cute looking bird here David, I love its markings.

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  • David de Groot said:
    Shot through a wire fence (thus the slight blur in the bottom left of the frame).

    Thanks Maria, Jacki, Alexandra, Cecily and Jill :)

    The whole family was out for a walk this morning as I drove past, the chick is even standing around with the parents now, rather than sitting or laying about.
  • David de Groot said:
    I've posted the short movie online here.

    It's a 2Mb mp4 movie with sound. The ending is jumpy 'cause I forgot to stop recording before I walked off (doh!).
  • benefit of hindsight said:
    This is that big-eyed ugly bird again - I must remember to check out your movie when I'm at home !
  • a777thunder said:
    Thats a ripper shot Dave,
    Great Capture mate!
  • David de Groot said:
    David, yep, it's that bird again ;) I'm just fascinated by having wild birds breeding in a suburban train station garden!

    Thanks Kev, not much setup on this one, just snapped the shot off mid-movie.
  • terraustralis said:
    Good set of Pics of the species. Down here in central NSW the species is threatened by cats and foxes. What was once a very common call of the night is now almost forgotten. It is very uncommon to hear/ see one until you are well out in the far west and even then they are rare.
    This also makes a good comment on cat ownership in the locality of where the photos were taken. Not many moggies or at least kept well at home if there are. Breed little curlews, breed!
  • David de Groot said:
    Damn cats are a plague on our wildlife. Of course, the owners are more to blame than the cats. Mind you, the feral population is a major problem.