Christopher Taylor Bird Nature Wildlife Mammal Photography
bird photography
GALLERIES > BIRDS > CHARADRIIFORMES > SCOLOPACIDAE > FAR EASTERN CURLEW [Numenius madagascariensis]

Far Eastern Curlew Picture
 
 

nature photography

SPECIES INFO

The Far Eastern Curlew or Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) is a large shorebird most similar in appearance to the Long-billed Curlew, but slightly larger. It is mostly brown in color, differentiated from other curlews by its plain, unpatterned brown underwing. It has the longest bill of any shorebird and is probably the world's largest sandpiper, at 63 cm (25 in), although the Eurasian Curlew is of roughly similar dimensions.


Inskip Pt, SE Queensland, Australia

The Far Eastern Curlew spends its breeding season in northeastern Asia, including Siberia to Kamchatka, and Mongolia. Its breeding habitat is comprised of marshy and swampy wetlands and lakeshores. Most individuals winter in coastal Australia, with a few heading to South Korea, Thailand, and New Zealand, where they stay at estuaries, beaches, and salt marshes. During its migration, the Far Eastern Curlew commonly passes through the Yellow Sea.

It uses its long, decurved bill to probe for invertebrates in the mud. It may feed in solitary but it generally congregates in large flocks to migrate or roost. Its call is a sharp, clear whistle, cuuue-reee, often repeated.

The bird not well-known, but it is uncommon at best and may be declining. As of 2006, there are an estimated 38,000 individuals in the world.


Manly Marina, SE Queensland, Australia


 This Charadriiformes-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.






bird photography
far_eastern_curlew's Range Map Click here to see the Far Eastern Curlew's range map!


HOME · ABOUT ME · GALLERY · STOCKLIST · VIDEO · SEARCH · PRESS · CONTACT · BLOG · NEW STUFF
bird photography
All images and video © Copyright 2006-2024 Christopher Taylor, Content and maps by their respective owner. All rights reserved.
nature photography