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Beach Stone-curlew (Esacus magnirostris)

The Beach Stone-curlew is a large coastal wader found on beaches, islands, reefs, estuaries, intertidal flats and mangrove edges across northern and eastern Australia. It lays a single egg in a shallow ground scrape, so clearing, vehicle access, dogs, people and construction near upper beaches or sandbanks can destroy nests or disturb dependent young.

Conservation status

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Vulnerable.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Critically endangered.

Breeding season

Breeding timing varies across the range. In NSW, clutches have been recorded from early October to late March, while breeding has been recorded from September elsewhere in temperate Australia. Dependent young may remain with adults for many months after hatching.

The documents do not provide incubation dates, a national breeding calendar or a measured seasonal movement pattern. Timing should be checked against local records before works begin.

  • Breeding: Breeding has been recorded from September elsewhere in temperate Australia and from early October to late March in NSW.
  • Laying and hatching: The species lays one egg. NSW clutches have been recorded from early October to late March, so laying and hatching can extend across much of the warmer part of the year.
  • Young: Young are precocial but remain dependent for 7 to 12 months according to the NSW profile. An NT information sheet states that a chick may remain with its parents for 18 months.
  • Movement or dispersal: Adults are generally sedentary, although the species has a tendency for wide-ranging vagrancy. No regular seasonal migration is described.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest from September to March because breeding, laying, nests and dependent young may be present. Disturbance can also affect adults and young outside this period because young may remain dependent for many months.

Identification

The Beach Stone-curlew is a large, heavy-set, ground-dwelling wader with a massive bill, strong legs and a short tail. It is usually seen alone or in pairs, but groups of up to six birds have been reported.

Adults have grey-brown upperparts, a pale grey throat and breast, a white belly, and broad pale grey wings with dark edges. The face and shoulder patch have bold black and white stripes. The eye is yellow and the base of the bill has a yellow patch.

The species is up to 56 cm long, with a wingspan of up to 1.1 m. Reported body weight is 900 to 1,100 g.

Key field marks: Massive upturned bill, large yellow eye, stout legs, short tail, grey-brown body, and black and white facial and shoulder markings

Identification: Similar species and behaviour

The main field comparison in the supplied material is the Bush Stone-curlew, Burhinus grallarius. The Beach Stone-curlew is a coastal species with a much larger bill and strong black and white facial and shoulder patterning.

It is mainly active at dawn, dusk and at night, but is less strictly nocturnal than the Bush Stone-curlew. During the day it may move slowly and deliberately, sometimes with head bobbing when agitated.

Call: A harsh, wailing 'weer-loo' call. The breeding call is slightly higher and more shrill than the call of the Bush Stone-curlew.

Identification: Field signs

The nest is a shallow scrape made directly in sand or gravel. It may be on the landward side of a beach, above the tidal zone, on a sandbank or island, or among open mangroves.

Adults forage by stalking slowly like a heron or by making quicker dashes after prey. Tracks may be present around feeding areas, but the supplied documents do not provide track dimensions or diagnostic measurements.

A harsh wailing call, especially around breeding sites and at night, can indicate nearby birds. Eggs and chicks are exposed on the ground and may be difficult to detect without careful searching.

Distribution: National range

In Australia, the Beach Stone-curlew occurs mainly along tropical and subtropical coastlines from north-western Western Australia through northern Australia and down the east coast to north-eastern New South Wales. Occasional records extend farther south in New South Wales and to Victoria.

The Australian range extends from about Point Cloates in Western Australia across northern and north-eastern Australia, south along the east coast to north-eastern New South Wales. Occasional vagrants have been recorded in south-eastern New South Wales and Victoria.

The supplied NSW distribution records include the NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner, together with offshore and adjacent marine bioregions. In Queensland, known records include South Eastern Queensland and the Queensland coastal region.

  • Western Australia: northern and north-western coastal areas, from about Point Cloates.
  • Northern Territory: coastal beaches, rocky shores and mangrove mudflats.
  • Queensland: the Queensland coast, including South Eastern Queensland, Moreton Bay and Shoalwater Bay areas.
  • New South Wales: regular occurrence to about the Manning River, with records farther south including Port Stephens and Twofold Bay.
  • Victoria: occasional vagrant records.

Distribution: Known strongholds and subpopulations

Moreton Bay supports a resident breeding population and is identified as important breeding habitat for the species. Shoalwater Bay Training Area also supports a resident breeding population, with up to 90 birds recorded in the broader site.

In New South Wales, the population is extremely small. A survey in 2000 recorded a minimum of 13 adult birds. A breeding pair is known from Dowadee Island and Soldiers Point in the Port Stephens area, and more recent records include Whale Beach in Twofold Bay.

NSW population: A minimum of 13 adult birds was recorded in a 2000 survey

Shoalwater Bay Training Area: Up to 90 birds have been recorded

Trend: The supplied documents do not provide a national population trend. The NSW population is described as extremely low and vulnerable to stochastic events.

Habitat: Habitat types

Beach Stone-curlews are coastal birds that use beaches, islands, reefs, estuaries, intertidal flats, sandbanks, mudflats, rocky shores and mangrove edges. Habitat use is concentrated close to the coast, with some NSW distribution mapping restricted to within 2 km of the coast.

The species occurs on a wide range of coastal substrates, including sandy ocean beaches, muddy sand among mangroves, coral sands, gravel, rock, intertidal sandflats and mudflats. Estuaries, islands, reefs, banks and spits are also used.

In NSW, known or predicted habitat is recorded in coastal and near-coastal bioregions including Coffs Coast and Escarpment, Karuah Manning, Macleay Hastings, Yuraygir, Batemans Shelf, Hawkesbury Shelf, Manning Shelf, Tweed-Moreton, Twofold Shelf, Illawarra, Jervis and Pittwater.

Coastal restriction: Some mapped NSW subregions have known habitat restricted to within 2 km of the coast

Elevation: No elevation limit is given. Nest sites are above the littoral or tidal zone.

Habitat: Structural features

Important habitat features include undisturbed upper beaches, landward beach margins, sandbanks and islands with open ground, low grass, scattered shrubs or low trees. Open mangrove areas can also support breeding.

Intertidal feeding areas need to remain connected to suitable upper-beach or island habitat. Shorelines with mangroves, shallow water, exposed sand, mud, gravel or rock can provide a combination of feeding and breeding habitat.

Habitat: Climate and regional limits

The species is concentrated in tropical and subtropical coastal Australia but extends into temperate coastal New South Wales. The documents do not provide a formal altitude, temperature or rainfall limit.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding sites

Beach Stone-curlews feed mainly in the intertidal zone, where they take crabs and other marine invertebrates. They forage on beaches, estuarine flats, sandbanks, rocky areas and around mangrove edges.

The diet consists of crabs and other marine invertebrates. Feeding habitat includes intertidal beaches and estuaries, islands, sandflats, mudflats, banks, spits, rocky shores and mangrove margins.

The species stalks prey slowly, like a heron, or makes short quicker dashes after prey. It may forage in shallow water or around rocks.

  • Inspect intertidal sand, mud, gravel and rock margins for feeding birds and tracks.
  • Treat mangrove edges, estuarine banks and spits as potential feeding habitat where they connect to upper-beach breeding areas.
  • Avoid placing access tracks, laydown areas or lighting near undisturbed intertidal feeding areas where birds are regularly observed.

Foraging habitat: Foraging range and activity

The supplied documents do not give a measured home range or routine foraging distance. Adults are usually solitary or occur in pairs, and are most active at dawn, dusk and at night, although they can forage during daylight.

Measured foraging range: Not stated in the supplied documents

Typical group size: Usually alone or in pairs, occasionally in groups of up to six

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs on open, undisturbed ground above the tidal zone. The nest is exposed, so even short-term access by people, dogs or vehicles can cause direct damage or cause adults to abandon normal nest attendance.

Both parents defend the nest and care for the young. The young are precocial but remain dependent for a long period. The NSW profile reports independence at 7 to 12 months, while an NT information sheet states that a chick may stay with its parents for 18 months.

The supplied documents do not state incubation period, age at first breeding or lifespan.

Breeding season: Clutches have been recorded from early October to late March in NSW; breeding has been recorded from September elsewhere in temperate Australia

Clutch size: One egg

Incubation: Not stated in the supplied documents

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied documents

Lifespan: Not stated in the supplied documents

Young's dependence: 7 to 12 months in the NSW profile; up to 18 months in the NT information sheet

Breeding habitat: Nest habitat

Nests are shallow scrapes in sand or gravel. They are placed at the backs of beaches above the tidal zone, on sandbanks and islands, or among open mangroves.

Suitable breeding sites have open ground with low grass, scattered shrubs or low trees. Repeated use of the same area is reported, so a vacant-looking scrape or an area without a bird should not be assumed to be unused.

  • Keep people, dogs, vehicles and machinery away from known or suspected nest sites.
  • Search carefully for shallow scrapes on sand or gravel before clearing, grading or establishing access.
  • Retain a disturbance-free connection between the nest area and nearby feeding habitat.

Sheltering habitat: Resting and refuge areas

The species does not use dens, hollows or burrows. It shelters and rests in open coastal habitat, including beaches, islands, sandbanks, estuarine margins and open mangroves.

Potential resting areas include quiet upper beaches, sandbanks, islands, spits, rocky shores, estuarine margins and open mangrove edges. The supplied documents do not give dimensions for roost sites or identify a separate roost structure.

Low grass, scattered shrubs, low trees and open mangroves can provide limited cover near breeding sites. These areas should be retained where they occur beside intertidal feeding habitat.

Dens, hollows or burrows: Not used or not reported for this species

Refuge size: Not stated in the supplied documents

Sheltering habitat: Site protection during works

Because adults and young use exposed ground, sheltering areas can be difficult to identify after disturbance has started. A bird moving away from machinery or people may indicate a nearby nest, chick or regularly used resting area.

Protect undisturbed beaches, islands, reefs, estuarine sandflats and mudflats from unnecessary access, lighting, noise and development.

  • Use pre-clearance inspections along beaches, sandbanks, islands and mangrove margins.
  • Mark exclusion areas around observed birds, scrapes and repeated-use sites before machinery enters the work area.
  • Keep dogs and vehicles out of known sites and follow agency signage, temporary closures and protection zones.

Threats: Construction and access

The main project risks are disturbance and direct damage to exposed nests and chicks. These risks are greatest where works occur on upper beaches, sandbanks, islands, estuarine margins or open mangroves beside intertidal feeding areas.

Clearing, development, vehicle access, trampling and removal of eggs or chicks can directly reduce breeding success. Four-wheel-drive traffic is identified as a threat at some sites.

Construction noise, people, lighting and repeated movement near feeding, resting or nesting areas can disturb adults. Disturbance may interrupt feeding, nest attendance or care of dependent young.

  • Avoid clearing or construction on upper beaches, sandbanks, islands and open mangrove breeding habitat during the breeding period.
  • Use exclusion fencing and clear signs around known nesting sites.
  • Restrict vehicles and pedestrians on beaches and intertidal access routes near known sites.
  • Have a fauna spotter catcher or suitably experienced observer check for birds, chicks and shallow scrapes before ground disturbance.

Threats: Predators and domestic animals

Foxes, feral dogs and cats, domestic dogs and cats, corvids and gulls can prey on eggs and chicks. Dogs can also disturb nesting birds and directly kill eggs or chicks by trampling.

The NSW profile recommends predator control, restrictions on dogs and cats near known sites, and fencing of breeding sites during the breeding season.

  • Prevent domestic dogs from entering known or suspected nesting areas.
  • Control foxes and feral dogs and cats where they threaten breeding sites.
  • Inspect temporary fencing regularly so it does not create access gaps for predators or cause additional disturbance.

Threats: Hydrology, storms and habitat change

High tides, storms and other flooding can inundate nests. Changes to shorelines, tidal flows, sediment movement or mangrove margins may remove or alter breeding and feeding habitat.

The supplied documents do not identify a species-specific fire or disease threat. Fire management should nevertheless avoid degrading low vegetation or coastal habitat around known breeding and refuge sites.

  • Account for tidal inundation and storm exposure when assessing nests on low sandbanks, islands and beach margins.
  • Avoid drainage, reclamation, erosion control or earthworks that remove access between intertidal feeding areas and upper-beach breeding habitat.
  • Do not assume that a site is unsuitable because it has been temporarily flooded or is not occupied during one inspection.

Threats: Population sensitivity

The very small NSW population is vulnerable to stochastic events. Loss of one nest or breeding pair can therefore have a disproportionate local effect.

NSW lists the Beach Stone-curlew as Critically Endangered. Queensland lists it as Vulnerable, while it is not listed under the EPBC Act in the supplied material.

NSW status: Critically Endangered

Queensland status: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed under the EPBC Act

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat assessment and daytime searches

Beach Stone-curlews use coastal beaches, islands, reefs, estuaries, intertidal flats, sandbanks and mangrove edges. Surveys should focus on open shorelines and upper beach areas, particularly where the project may remove or disturb foraging, roosting or nesting habitat.

Map beaches, sandbanks, islands, rocky shores, estuarine margins, intertidal flats, mangrove edges and areas of low vegetation above the littoral zone.

Search slowly from a suitable vantage point during daylight, with particular attention to the early morning and late afternoon periods when birds may be active.

Record all birds, tracks, feeding areas, nests, chicks, roost sites and signs of repeated use, including observations of single birds, pairs and groups of up to six birds.

Avoid approaching birds closely, especially during the breeding season, because human disturbance can cause adults to leave nests or young.

Body length: Up to 56 cm

Wingspan: Up to 1.1 m

Typical occurrence: Usually alone or in pairs, with groups of up to six birds occasionally recorded

Survey methodology: 2. Dawn, dusk and night searches

Undertake targeted searches at dawn, dusk and, where safe and permitted, at night because Beach Stone-curlews are mainly active during these periods.

Use quiet observation from the edge of suitable habitat and record calls, movement, feeding activity and flight direction.

Give additional attention to estuarine beaches, mangrove margins, sandbanks, spits and rocky shallows, where the species forages for crabs and other marine invertebrates.

Do not use bright lights or repeated close approaches that may alter the bird's behaviour or expose a nest or chick to predators.

Main activity periods: Dawn, dusk and night

Foraging habitat: Intertidal beaches, estuaries, islands, flats, banks, sand or gravel spits, rocky areas and mangrove margins

Survey methodology: 3. Breeding and nest searches

Search the backs of beaches, sandbanks, islands and open mangrove areas for a shallow scrape above the tidal zone.

Time breeding surveys to the local breeding period. In New South Wales, clutches have been recorded from early October to late March, while breeding has been recorded from September elsewhere in temperate Australia.

Use distant observation and survey the area from more than one direction where practicable, rather than walking through potential nesting habitat.

Look for adults defending an area, repeated alarm behaviour, a single egg, chicks or adults escorting young. Young may remain dependent for 7 to 12 months.

Nest: A shallow scrape in sand or gravel above the tidal zone

Eggs: One egg is laid

New South Wales breeding records: Early October to late March

Young: Not apparently independent until 7 to 12 months old

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • There is no species-specific survey effort, number of nights, transect length or search area specified in the supplied documents, so set effort in the survey plan to cover all suitable habitat and the full area that may be disturbed.
  • Repeat searches when initial conditions are unsuitable, visibility is poor, tides prevent access to intertidal habitat, or birds may be absent during the first visit.
  • Record the date, start and finish time, tide and weather conditions, observers, survey route, area searched, survey method, bird locations, behaviour, breeding evidence, photographs and any disturbance observed.
  • Submit verified records to the relevant state wildlife database and report threatened species records through the project approval and environmental incident systems.
  • Use the current state species profile and approval conditions when finalising survey effort, because the supplied New South Wales profile was last updated in December 2025.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Plan the project around the species' dependence on quiet coastal nesting and foraging areas. The main risks are disturbance, trampling, vehicles, dogs, nest flooding and predation of eggs or chicks.

Retain undisturbed beaches, islands, reefs, estuarine intertidal sandflats, mudflats, sandbanks, spits and mangrove-edge habitat wherever practicable.

Keep construction compounds, access tracks, stockpiles, lighting and storage areas away from known or potential nesting, roosting and foraging sites.

Maintain connections between retained coastal habitat areas and avoid isolating a breeding pair or feeding area.

Do not set a generic buffer unless it is supported by the project's approval, a current state direction or advice from the relevant wildlife agency. Establish a site-specific exclusion zone based on the bird's behaviour, habitat and risk of disturbance.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Confirm the current legal status before work starts. The species is not listed under the EPBC Act in the supplied records, is listed as Vulnerable in Queensland, and is listed as Critically Endangered in New South Wales.

Obtain any state permits, approvals and wildlife management permissions required for clearing, disturbance, capture, handling or relocation.

Refer the project under the EPBC Act if another listed matter may be affected, if the species' Commonwealth status changes, or if the relevant regulator requires referral.

Schedule high-noise, clearing and vehicle activities outside the local breeding period where practicable, noting that New South Wales breeding records extend from early October to late March and breeding can occur from September elsewhere in temperate Australia.

Stage works so that retained habitat remains available and fauna management measures can be reviewed before each new work area is opened.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

Complete a pre-clearance search of all beaches, estuarine margins, sandbanks, islands, mangrove edges and low vegetation areas that may be affected.

Mark known nests, chicks, active feeding areas, roost sites and access restrictions on plans and on the ground without approaching unnecessarily.

Install clearly visible exclusion fencing and signs around identified nesting or roosting habitat where fencing will not trap birds or restrict access to feeding areas.

Brief machinery operators, supervisors, contractors and security staff on the species' appearance, coastal habitat, stop-work requirements and reporting process.

Appoint a suitably experienced fauna spotter catcher and confirm who is authorised to handle or relocate fauna before clearing begins.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery interface

Use active supervision whenever machinery or people enter suitable habitat. The fauna spotter catcher should control the work interface, not simply respond after an animal has been injured or displaced.

Inspect exclusion fencing, signs, access controls and known nesting areas before work starts each day.

The fauna spotter catcher should walk the work area ahead of machinery, maintain a clear line of communication with the operator and stop the plant before entering any area that has not been checked.

Keep vehicles, dogs, workers and machinery out of marked nesting, roosting and feeding areas unless the approved method specifically allows access.

Limit lighting, noise and unnecessary personnel near retained coastal habitat, especially from dusk through to dawn.

Stop work and reassess if a bird repeatedly alarm calls, displays defensive behaviour, leaves a nest, or is prevented from reaching a feeding or roosting area.

During habitat disturbance: Fauna found during works

Stop the relevant activity and establish a quiet exclusion area if a Beach Stone-curlew, egg, chick or nest is found in or near the work area.

Do not chase, catch or move an adult bird unless handling is necessary to prevent immediate harm and the person is authorised, trained and acting under the project fauna management plan or permit.

Keep people and machinery back while the fauna spotter catcher contacts the project ecologist or wildlife authority and assesses whether the bird can leave without intervention.

If relocation is authorised and necessary, move the animal only to nearby retained habitat that provides suitable coastal, estuarine or mangrove-edge conditions and is away from the work, people and machinery.

Record the location, behaviour, reason for intervention, personnel involved, destination and outcome of every handling or relocation event.

Adult body mass: Approximately 900 to 1100 g

Handling authority: Only authorised and appropriately trained personnel should handle or relocate fauna

During habitat disturbance: Injury, mortality and stop-work triggers

Treat an injured or exhausted bird as a wildlife incident and arrange assessment by a veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer.

Do not provide food, water or medication unless directed by a veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer.

Stop work immediately for any injury or mortality, discovery of an active nest or chick within the disturbance area, direct contact with machinery, repeated displacement from retained habitat, or a breach of an exclusion zone.

Notify the site supervisor, project ecologist and relevant wildlife authority in accordance with the approval and incident response plan.

Maintain daily records of searches, sightings, breeding evidence, exclusion zones, incidents, weather, tides, work areas and corrective actions.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance checks should confirm that no birds, nests or dependent young remain exposed to ongoing project hazards. Continue controls while the site is active because the species may return to a familiar beach or estuary.

Inspect the cleared area, retained habitat and exclusion fencing at the end of each clearing shift and again before the next shift.

Search for injured birds, eggs, chicks, carcasses, tracks, feeding signs and evidence that adults have been displaced from a breeding or feeding area.

Remove waste, food scraps and other materials that could attract foxes, feral dogs, cats, corvids or gulls.

Repair damaged fencing and signs promptly, and keep access restrictions in place until the project ecologist confirms that the risk has ended.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained beaches, estuarine flats, sandbanks, islands and mangrove edges during construction and during the breeding period where works remain nearby.

Use the same observation points and recording methods where practicable so that changes in presence, behaviour, breeding success and habitat use can be identified.

Report all incidents, nest failures, injured or dead birds, relocations, unplanned disturbance and breaches of controls to the relevant regulator and wildlife database where required.

Review monitoring results with the project ecologist and change work timing, access, lighting or exclusion areas if birds show repeated disturbance or abandonment behaviour.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and residual impacts

Assess residual loss or degradation of breeding, foraging or roosting habitat under the applicable state approval framework.

Apply any approved offset, conservation measure or species management requirement for the state in which the project occurs.

Do not treat relocation of an adult bird as a substitute for retaining nesting, feeding and roosting habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should restore quiet coastal habitat with open access to intertidal prey and safe nesting areas above the tidal zone. Avoid creating dense vegetation or new access routes that reduce visibility or increase disturbance.

Reinstate natural beach, sandbank, gravel, mudflat, rocky shore and mangrove-edge surfaces where these were temporarily disturbed.

Use locally native coastal grasses, low shrubs and low trees appropriate to the site, while retaining open areas needed for nesting and movement.

Do not place mulch, spoil, fencing or planted vegetation over shallow nest scrapes or potential nesting surfaces above the tidal zone.

Remove temporary roads, hardstands, stockpiles and lighting that could prevent access to intertidal feeding areas or increase disturbance.

Rehabilitation actions: Predator, access and disturbance control

Control foxes, feral dogs and cats in accordance with the relevant authority's programs and project approvals.

Prevent domestic dogs from entering known or restored breeding sites and install signs where visitor access could disturb birds.

Manage weeds that reduce the quality of nesting, sheltering or foraging sites.

Use fencing around restored nesting sites only where it will deter people, vehicles and predators without trapping birds or blocking access to feeding habitat.

Protect restored areas from unnecessary vehicle access, high noise, night lighting and construction traffic.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Inspect restored sites after storms, high tides and other flooding events because nests can be inundated and surface conditions can change.

Monitor whether Beach Stone-curlews return to forage, roost or breed, whether adults show alarm or avoidance behaviour, and whether people, vehicles, dogs or predators are entering the site.

Record the condition of open nesting surfaces, intertidal access, mangrove edges, signs of prey use, weed cover, predator activity and any nests or dependent young.

Define success with the project ecologist and regulator using site-specific measures such as stable restored habitat, functioning access controls, no project-related injuries or mortalities, and confirmed use by Beach Stone-curlews where the site previously supported the species.

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