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Description
Alternative Name: Bush Thick-Knee
Latin Name: Burhinus grallarius
Native To: Australia
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Taken At: Healesville Sanctuary

Despite being a ground dwelling bird these birds are capable of flight. They prefer not to fly as they rely on the patterns on their feathers in order to avoid detection from predators. The female will typically lay two eggs at a time and both the male and the female will care for them. During the day these birds are relatively inactive and will spend most of their time sleeping. During the night these birds will forage on the ground hunting small grassland animals such as reptiles, insects, amphibians, as well as small mammals are all part of their diet.

When threatened the birds have a habit of freezing up to once more rely on their camouflage. They will remain stiff even if handled if they feel threatened, this can result in the bird sometimes stiffening up in odd positions. Only when being vigorously pursued will they resort to flight where they use their long broad wings to leave the area quickly. It is more likely that you will hear the bird than you will see it, its call sounds like a wail or a scream in the night, when frightened the bird will screech in a similar fashion to a screech of a possum. These birds are mostly found along coastal Australia with a few exceptions along Southern Australia and Tasmania, the bird also appears to have territories in various places in Central Australia.

Description
Alternative Name: Bush Thick-Knee
Latin Name: Burhinus grallarius
Native To: Australia
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Taken At: Healesville Sanctuary

Despite being a ground dwelling bird these birds are capable of flight. They prefer not to fly as they rely on the patterns on their feathers in order to avoid detection from predators. The female will typically lay two eggs at a time and both the male and the female will care for them. During the day these birds are relatively inactive and will spend most of their time sleeping. During the night these birds will forage on the ground hunting small grassland animals such as reptiles, insects, amphibians, as well as small mammals are all part of their diet.

When threatened the birds have a habit of freezing up to once more rely on their camouflage. They will remain stiff even if handled if they feel threatened, this can result in the bird sometimes stiffening up in odd positions. Only when being vigorously pursued will they resort to flight where they use their long broad wings to leave the area quickly. It is more likely that you will hear the bird than you will see it, its call sounds like a wail or a scream in the night, when frightened the bird will screech in a similar fashion to a screech of a possum. These birds are mostly found along coastal Australia with a few exceptions along Southern Australia and Tasmania, the bird also appears to have territories in various places in Central Australia.