UPDATE:

Whitsunday Police Station Senior Sergeant Nathan Blain said a person had volunteered themselves to police, saying they may have been responsible for the injured bird.

Mr Blain said the man went to the station yesterday, after seeing social media posts about a bird with an arrow through its body.

The man told police he had been target shooting on the day, and been unable to locate one of his arrows.

He said he was not sure whether he had hit the bird.

Snr Sgt Blain said target shooting on private property was not illegal.

UPDATE: The RSPCA want anyone with information about an injured curlew to contact 1330 264 625.

RPSCA Inspector Natalie Aitken said they received the call about the injured curlew on Sunday morning.

"We received the initial cruelty report for the job," Ms Aitken said.

"We contacted the Whitsunday Fauna Rescue and they've done an amazing job in assisting with this animal.

"We're working quite closely with the Department of Environmental Heritage and Protection and Cannonvale police."

Ms Aitken said the bird "is currently receiving veterinary treatment". 

EARLIER: Residents hit out on social media after a cruel attack on a curlew bird in the Whitsundays.

Fauna Rescue Whitsundays Association Inc. posted the photo of the injured bird on Facebook.

What residents said:

Kathy N Mark: Oh you poor dear baby. I hope you have the strength to recover. What a cruel thing to do...devastating to know that these things happen to our wildlife. Stay strong.

Jane Baltzars: How can anyone be so cruel. They are such lovely birds.

Sarah Frerichs: You poor little darling. What heartless heartless people out there.