Reflection-obsessed bird is normal according to scientists

Posted by: admin , March 20, 2017

A reflection-obsessed bird in Queensland has become an internet sensation, but scientists say this is normal behaviour for a Bush Stone Curlew.
Nick Wiggins from ABC News photographed the bird staring at its reflection in a window at Queensland University.
A sign on the window read: “I’m a bush stone curlew. I’m fine. I just like to stare at myself in the window”.
Wildlife officials say the bird is nocturnal, so it becomes hypnotised by its reflection in the daytime.
This behaviour is not uncommon for Curlews given that they are known to hide in highly camouflaged areas by standing still, and the fact the birds do not recognise reflections as themselves.
However, Kevin J. McGowan, a biologist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, says he’s not sure what this Curlew wants to do to/with the ‘other’ bird.
TheCurlew spawned many memes, such as ‘It’s 9am and you’re still not ready to face the world’. Ain’t that the truth!
Note: bird in the photograph might not resemble bird in real life, due to lack of Curlews in Lego form.