Animals in Australia

In Australia 54 of species of mammals are endangered (20% or 312 animals in total), 98 species of birds (13% or 793 animals in total), 52 species of reptile (about 797 animals in total) and 15 species of amphibians (about 208 animals in total) are endangered. But I am focusing in on one species of bird called the Bush Stone Curlew. 


This is a Bush Stone Curlew. These birds are amazing at camouflage which makes them incredibly hard to spot. It is around 60 cm in height. It lives most of its life on the ground and is very reluctant to fly but can do if necessary. It has a very distinctive call which is more of a wailing and makes a weer-lo sound. It is mainly heard at night. They eat a wide range of food form large insects to small mammals to seeds, pretty much anything they can find in the leaves and stones where they live. They live up to about 30 years old and once mated will live in an area of about 25 hectares. The Bush Stone Curlew will lay two eggs at a time in a simple scrape in the ground. Chicks can get killed by foxes, dogs and cats which means they struggle to create a new generation. They live mainly in low grassy woodland where the colour of the feathers mean they blend into the background and are less likely to be killed. The main threats to them are loss of habitat because of farming and weeds, which means the suitable areas then have to split even smaller and then don't have enough food to sustain life for them and their chicks if the eggs have survived being trampled on or eaten. No one knows how many of this bird is left in the world.
It would be sad to see such a wonderful creatures die out. I was talking to the people who are tracking some of these birds and they were getting all emotional about them as they are such unique creatures and has such a versatile diet. I have enjoyed finding out about the three different animals on this journey and will  be comparing them later on.