Common Name: Beach Stone-curlew

Distribution: Northern and eastern Australia coastlines. The species has largely disappeared from the south-eastern part of its former range, and is now rarely recorded on ocean beaches in New South Wales.

Ecological Notes: Occurs on open, undisturbed beaches, reefs, estuarine intertidal sand and mudflats and islands preferring beaches with estuaries or mangroves nearby. It preys on crabs and other invertebrates. 

Additional Notes: The Beach Stone-curlew is active at night, on early mornings and late afternoons. It is unlikely to be mistaken for any other bird due to its large size, massive bill and prominent markings on its head. Beach Stone-curlew’s nest on sandbanks, islands in estuaries, coral ridges, among mangroves or in the sand surrounded by short grass and scattered casuarinas. Typically one egg is laid per season, however, the female may lay a second egg if the first is lost. Once the young have hatched, both parents care for them until they reach 7-12 months old.

References: Atlas of Living Australia at Beach Stone Curlew 14 August 2023.
Birds in Backyards at https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Esacus-magnirostris Accessed 24 July 2023.