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Large shorebird with an enormous chunky beak, black-and-white-marked face, white stripes on the shoulder, and long and sturdy legs.
VIC: Critically Endangered; SA: Vulnerable
At a glance
FamilyThick-knees
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatClosed forest, Open woodland, Sparse woodland, Waterbodies, and Woody Trees Scattered
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from June to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
964visible hotspots
19737visible records
5states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Unlikely to be encountered anywhere except coastal areas, particularly beaches, reefs, and estuaries; very unusual even a few hundred meters inland from these habitats. Heavy human activity on beaches in certain areas has confined them to small offshore islands.
Behavior
Large shorebird with an enormous chunky beak, black-and-white-marked face, white stripes on the shoulder, and long and sturdy legs. Often calls at night, giving high-pitched piping and whistling notes.
Gallery