Curlew Bird Facts (Numenius arquata)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Curlew is a large wader with a distinctive long, down-curved bill and long legs. Its plumage is mottled brown above with a pale underside, featuring dark streaks on the breast and flanks. The rump and tail are white with dark barring.

Both sexes look similar, with females typically larger and having a longer bill. Juveniles resemble adults but have shorter, less curved bills and more buff-coloured upperparts.

Size

Length

50cm to 60cm

Wingspan

89cm to 106cm

Weight

540g to 1000g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Buff

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Brown

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Curlew is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Curlew is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Curlew can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Curlew can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Curlew is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Curlew is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Curlew can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Curlew is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Curlew is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Curlew is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Curlew is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Curlew is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Curlews inhabit various open landscapes, including coastal mudflats, estuaries, marshes, and inland wet grasslands. They breed across northern Europe and Asia, from the UK to eastern Siberia.

During winter, they migrate to coastal areas of western Europe, Africa, southern Asia, and Australia. Curlews can be found year-round in the UK, with numbers boosted by winter visitors from continental Europe.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Curlew. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Albania Algeria Angola Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Belarus Belgium Benin Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Burkina Faso Cambodia Cameroon Chad China Comoros Congo Côte D'Ivoire Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Ethiopia Faroe Islands Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Guinea Guinea-Bissau Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Ireland Israel Italy Japan Kenya Kuwait Laos Lebanon Liberia Libya Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Maldives Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Moldova Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Nepal Netherlands Nigeria North Korea Norway Oman Pakistan Poland Qatar Réunion Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The United Kingdom Togo Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Estonia Kazakhstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Mongolia Russia

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Bangladesh Bulgaria Burundi Croatia Guam Iraq Macedonia Malaysia Namibia Niger Northern Mariana Islands Palestine Philippines Portugal Rwanda Sudan Tunisia Turkey Vietnam

Species that pass through the area during migration

Afghanistan Bhutan Jordan Kyrgyzstan

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Andorra Bermuda Canada Cape Verde Central African Republic Greenland Lesotho Niue Sao Tome and Principe Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands The Bahamas United States of America

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Curlew demonstrates considerable agility, particularly in flight. Its ability to perform elaborate aerial displays during breeding season and swiftly take flight when disturbed indicates a high level of manoeuvrability. However, its large size may slightly limit its agility compared to smaller waders.

Strength 65

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As one of the largest European wading birds, the Curlew possesses notable strength. Its ability to probe deep into mud with its long bill and withstand coastal winds suggests good muscular power. However, it's not exceptionally strong compared to birds of prey or larger waterfowl.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Curlews show remarkable adaptability, inhabiting a variety of open landscapes from coastal mudflats to inland wet grasslands. Their ability to thrive in different climates during breeding and wintering periods, coupled with their diverse diet, demonstrates high adaptability.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While Curlews are generally wary and quick to flee when disturbed, they don't exhibit high levels of aggression. They may defend their nests and young, but are not known for aggressive behaviour towards other species or humans. Their cautious nature suggests a lower aggression rating.

Endurance 85

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Curlews display impressive endurance, particularly evident in their long-distance migrations between breeding and wintering grounds. Their ability to live for over 30 years in the wild, coupled with their capacity for extended foraging sessions in challenging tidal environments, indicates high endurance levels.

Diet

Curlews feed primarily on invertebrates such as worms, molluscs, and crustaceans. Their long, curved bills are perfectly adapted for probing deep into mud and soil.

During the breeding season, they consume insects and occasionally small fish, amphibians, and plant material.

Behaviour

Curlews are often seen probing the mud or soil with their long bills, searching for invertebrates. They are generally wary birds, quick to take flight when disturbed. During the breeding season, males perform elaborate aerial displays, accompanied by their haunting, bubbling calls.

Vocalisation

The Curlew's call is one of the most evocative sounds of wetlands and coasts. Their most recognisable vocalisation is a loud, drawn-out 'cur-lee', which gives them their name. During the breeding season, males produce a bubbling, trilling song that rises and falls in pitch, often described as 'courlee-courlee-courlee'.

Nesting & Breeding

Curlews typically breed from April to July. Males perform elaborate aerial displays and vocalisations to attract females. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often in grasslands or moorlands. The female usually lays four olive-green eggs with brown spots. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs.

Incubation lasts about 30 days. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest soon after hatching. They fledge after 32-38 days, with parents providing care for several weeks after fledging.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Near Threatened ^[1]

The Curlew is classified as Near Threatened due to population declines across its range. Habitat loss, particularly of breeding grounds, and changes in agricultural practices are significant threats. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland and grassland habitats.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

835,000 - 1,310,000 individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Curlews in coastal mudflats, estuaries, and wet grasslands
Listen for their distinctive 'cur-lee' call, especially during the breeding season
Observe their unique feeding behaviour, probing deep into mud with their long bills
In the UK, watch for them in coastal areas and inland wetlands year-round

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Eurasian Curlew, Common Curlew, European Curlew

Family:

Scolopacidae

Average Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Predators

Adult Curlews face threats from large birds of prey such as Peregrine Falcons and Golden Eagles. Eggs and chicks are vulnerable to foxes, stoats, and corvids.

Did You Know?

The Curlew has the longest bill relative to its body size of any wading bird species.
Curlews can live for over 30 years in the wild, making them one of the longest-lived wader species.
The Curlew is the largest European wading bird, often referred to as the 'prince of the waders'.

FAQs

How did the curlew get its name?

Both parts of the curlew’s scientific name, Numenius arquata, relate to the shape of its elongated, curved bill. Numenius comes from two ancient Greek words, ‘neos’, meaning ‘new’ and ‘mene’, referring to the shape of the bill being similar to the appearance of a crescent moon. ‘Arquata’ is the Latin word for an archer’s bow.

The English name is said to derive from the display call ‘cour-lee’ made by curlews. Some sources claim that the name’s origins lie in the Old French word ‘corliu’, meaning ‘messenger’, from the verb ‘courir’, meaning ‘to run’.