Curlew
Near ThreatenedNumenius 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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird 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
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
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
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
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
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.
Lifespan
years
The Curlew typically lives for 10 to 15 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
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:
ScolopacidaePredators
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'.
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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’.
References
- 1 3
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Numenius arquata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22693190A117917038.
View source - 2
report, 2016: Wetlands International