A bit Eastery
Stone Curlew with eggs – image Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
My Easter bird – Stone Curlew with eggs.
I find these birds really striking, almost primitive looking, with those piercing large eyes and large head. They are called stone curlews because they are found and nest in stony habitats and resemble curlews. They’re also called thick-knee.
Those big, round, yellow eyes help the bird in its crepuscular or nocturnal foraging, when it feeds on large invertebrates, especially earthworms, ground and dung beetles. It is a summer visitor here and rare sightings are between March and October.
Do you have a favourite Easter bird?
2 Comments
Well, I’m extremely envious that you have Stone Curlews! If you manage to get a pick of one do be sure to post it, smashing birds. I find it very hard to pick between all our feathered friends, but I do have a soft spot for Swallows. Happy Easter :o)
Sorry if I misled, but we don’t have them here I’m afraid, its UK strongolds are in Wiltshire, around Salisbury Plain, and in Breckland, Norfolk. It is a bird that intrigues me though and remains a favourite – if it did come north I have the perfect yard for it, very stony! Swallows will be here pretty soon now.