Far Eastern Curlew
Numenius madagascariensis· 丘鹬科(3 photos)
Far Eastern Curlew
60-65 cm. Largest migrant wader, distinguished by very long (18 cm), pink-based, downcurved bill, nearly half length of body; brown rump and tail. Female: bill longer (up to 20 cm). In flight, bill very prominent; note finely dark-barred brown rump and tail. Underwing pale brown, closely barred darker. Solitary to large, dispersed companies: aloof and wary. Flocks fly in drawn-out lines or Vs, calling hauntingly. Active at night, especially at low tide.
- Other name
- Australian, Far Eastern or Sea Curlew.
- Similar Species
- Eurasian Curlew: bill shorter; rump and underwing white. Whimbrel.
- Voice
- haunting, sometimes grating 'curlee, curlee' or 'crooee, crooe', mostly in flight; also a musical, bubbling running trill, rising then falling.
- Habitat
- estuaries, tidal mudflats, sandspits, saltmarshes, mangroves; occasionally fresh or brackish lakes; bare grasslands near water.
- Range & Status
- breeds ne. Asia: common summer migrant (Aug.-May) to coasts of n., e., and se. Aust. and Tas.; less common SA and s. WA; seldom inland. Many overwinter. Also NZ. Declining.
