Colours

Distinguishing features

Size

Wingspan

Synonyms

Distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

It is endemic to Australia and lives in open woodland, edges of forest, and along inland watercourses, demonstrating broad habitat preferences. It is still abundant in parts of the tropical north but it is approaching extinction in pastoral areas in the south where once it was common. (Wikipedia)

Chronotypes

Behaviour

During the day, they tend to remain inactive, sheltering amongst tall grass or low shrubs and relying on their cryptic plumage to protect them from predators. When disturbed, they freeze motionless, often in odd-looking postures. (Wikipedia)

Diet

It specialises in hunting small grassland animals: frogs, spiders, insects, molluscs, crustaceans, snakes, lizards and small mammals are all taken, mostly gleaned or probed from soft soil or rotting wood; also a few seeds or tubers, particularly in drought years. Birds usually forage individually or in pairs over a large home range, particularly on moonlit nights. (Wikipedia)

Web resources

References