birding-aus

Bush Stone Curlews

To: <>
Subject: Bush Stone Curlews
From: inger vandyke <>
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:18:23 +0000
Hi Birding Aussers
We have recently moved to a new place and are lucky enough to have resident 
Bush Stone Curlews in our front yard.
I spoke with neighbours who advised that the single bird residing in our garden 
is the near adult chick of the pair across the road.

In the couple of weeks that we've lived here, the pair across the road have 
been on nest again with two eggs in what appears to be their second clutch in 
12 months.
I have a couple of questions for BSC experts ranging from the stupid - how can 
you tell the difference between males and females?  To the more complex 
question of brooding.
On Sunday in a heat wave when bush fires threatened our neighbourhood, I 
wondered across the road to the nesting pair and had a look.  I saw two 
beautiful eggs around the size of a chicken's.
Well yesterday we came home and the single young bird in our yard was 
resolutely sitting in one spot and it turns out that bird was sheltering a one 
or two day old chick.  Accompanying single bird was one of the parent BSCs from 
across the road.
Does anyone know if BSCs are like Kookaburras in that older siblings help 
parents rear younger siblings?
>From the outside it looks like one of the parents has bought a chick over to 
>their teenage kid and said "Here this is yours to look after.  I'll keep an 
>eye on you but the responsibility is yours" .  Nice.  Quick life lesson in 
>parenting at a young age :-)
Is this normal behaviour?
Any insights would be appreciated.  Both of them are caring for this chick as I 
write.  I have to say that BSCs are one of the most charismatic birds in their 
behaviour and looks.  It is delightful to have them in our yard.
Any insights you can provide would be great.
Cheers,
Inger

Inger Vandyke

Natural History Writer and Photographer

Assistant Publicity Officer - Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association (SOSSA)

Mob:  0402 286 437



www.ingervandyke.com










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